To Label or Not? Just say no!!
Nov 27th, 2011 by Cathy Jo Nelson
In July, 2011, the AASL Board approved the Position Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels. If you haven’t read it, do take some time to do so. I wrote about it over at the SCASL blog back in September, and our SCASL listserv had a pretty heated debate by those who were defending the labeling practice.
Whatever works for you.
I choose NOT to label books. Students can be taught to take ownership of their levels by being taught about label programs and how to search levels (Destiny allows it, Lexile.com allows for searching, AR lists online can be searched for levels, etc.) I know many are very in favor of visible leveling, but in my humble opinion, it is not a good idea. This ranks right up there with the blue bird, redbird, and crow reading groups. Kids, regardless of age, do not like to be labeled, especially when it’s less than stellar levels.
Find a better way!
But to support teachers that require it, I suggest book boxes or special covers for books that stay in the classroom and are used for instructional time only. The TEACHER should check this book out and NOT the student necessarily, though it can be a collaborative effort between the two. A byproduct is that the student might actually like the reading material. But students should never be forced to checkout books just because it is the right reading level, zpd, or lexile. And no matter how many out there defend the practice, I cannot see myself ever agreeing.
But to support teachers that require it, I suggest book boxes or special covers for books that stay in the classroom and are used for instructional time only. The TEACHER should check this book out and NOT the student necessarily, though it can be a collaborative effort between the two. A byproduct is that the student might actually like the reading material. But students should never be forced to checkout books just because it is the right reading level, zpd, or lexile. And no matter how many out there defend the practice, I cannot see myself ever agreeing.
Freedom to Read – Patrons right to choose
It is the responsibility of school librarians to promote free access for students and not to aid in restricting their library materials. School librarians should resist labeling and advocate for development of district policies regarding leveled reading programs that rely on library staff compliance with library book labeling and non-standard shelving requirements. These policies should address the concerns of privacy, student First Amendment Rights, behavior modification in both browsing and motivational reading attitudes, and related issues.
It is the responsibility of school librarians to promote free access for students and not to aid in restricting their library materials. School librarians should resist labeling and advocate for development of district policies regarding leveled reading programs that rely on library staff compliance with library book labeling and non-standard shelving requirements. These policies should address the concerns of privacy, student First Amendment Rights, behavior modification in both browsing and motivational reading attitudes, and related issues.I’m glad AASL has taken a stance similar to mine.
Cathy, I couldn’t agree with you more! The best gift that my parents, and sympathetic librarians, gave me was the freedom to choose my own reading material. Labels are inherently limiting. They discourage exploration, and limit expectations. Lexiles can’t replace librarians…
Diane Cordell´s last [type] ..Turning the Page