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Fewer students suspended for failure to finish summer reading

Ohanian Comment: Ok, I admit it. I don't believe in suspension--except in rare, life-and-death circumstances. School is the place where, when a kid shows up, he should be admitted.

But this suspension policy is sheer lunacy. What a way to start off the school year.

Can you imagine? A kindergartner showing up to school and being suspended because she hasn't completed the summer reading assignment she was given in pre-K.

By Karen Ayres

School ended shortly after it began this week for 254 Lancaster school district students who were suspended on the first day of school because they didn't turn in their summer reading assignments.

The students are a range of ages and account for nearly 5 percent of the district's total enrollment. The number of students suspended has dropped each year since Lancaster ISD began requiring the reading in 2005. Last August, 516 students were sent home for failing to complete the assignment, down from 750 kids the first year.

Superintendent Larry Lewis said the drop in suspensions shows that students and parents now understand that the assignment is mandatory. Students can return to school when they complete the work. It will be assessed as a major test grade.

"The parents know that we're serious about it," Dr. Lewis said. "The kids know we're serious about it. It's better if we give them a harsh penalty now than the penalty of not being able to read later."

District officials will give 474 students who are new to the district until Sept. 21 to complete the assignments.

The district assigns reading projects to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The youngest students are required to read at least 75 minutes per week and keep a log of their reading activities. The oldest students complete five assignments – from a collage to a video newscast – about their assigned book.

Dr. Lewis started the program to help boost the district's reading scores. Students also are given a reading project during winter break.

"We had so many kids reading below grade level that they couldn't afford to take the summer off or winter break off," Dr. Lewis said.

In August 2005, the district suspended students who failed to bring the assignment but quickly reinstated them and extended the homework deadline. Most then met the requirement. But hundreds more were suspended in January 2006 for not turning in the winter assignment.

Many parents objected to the program when it was introduced in 2005, in part, because it would interrupt their children's summer activities.

Maria Esparza, president of the district's Council of PTAs, said she doesn't hear complaints anymore.

"The lower numbers just mean that kids are getting the job done, just as they should have been all along," Ms. Esparza said. "It's a positive. It's going to be even lower next year."

Greg Stephenson said he supports summer reading and encouraged his daughter, a freshman, to finish her work. Still, he said suspending students may not be the solution.

"I firmly believe a lot of the problems kids have don't have anything to do with school," Mr. Stephenson said. "I don't think suspending them is really addressing their needs. The goal should be to find out why they're not completing it and to find whatever it is you need to get for them."













— Karen Ayres
Dallas Morning News
2007-08-29
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/083007dnmetlancasterreads.2d0d6d9.html

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