Reversing Readicide

One of the lessons regarding teaching to the standards that has been learned by one high school teacher is that we are committing "readicide." Students are being overwhelmed with the many requirements that the standards impose on the curriculum that teachers are compelled to teach. One teacher in our own area, at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, has written a pointed critique of that practice, and his book has been favorably received by thousands of teachers. Kelly Gallagher, in his book Readicide, describes and critiques those practices that encourage readicide--including exhaustive coverage of books that students should be allowed to enjoy. Instead, the state requires that they analyze them to death! In the process, they learn to hate reading. Here's a link, then, to "Reversing Readicide," an article that summarizes the key points Gallagher makes in his book. What do you think? Is this something we can turn around? As a future teacher, it's up to you!