Christopher Swope was GOVERNING's executive editor.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
Education
Teaching in a Bubble
Nancy S. Grasmick, Maryland's superintendent of schools, has fond memories of reading comic books as a child. She liked Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, and especially enjoyed Archie. "I'd share comics with my friends," she says, "and they'd share theirs with me, which was wonderful because it was focused on reading."
Now, Grasmick has become a leading proponent for putting comic books in classrooms. Starting this fall, Maryland schools will have the option of teaching Spider-Man along with Tom Sawyer in grades three and up. The plan already is getting a try-out in a few counties, while a task force of educators decides which comics fit well with the state curriculum.
Critics say the idea is wild enough to make even the Incredible Hulk blush. But Grasmick hopes comics will engage reluctant readers-- especially boys, who read at much lower rates than girls. As with literature, comics can expand a child's vocabulary and be analyzed for character and plot development.
And not all comic titles have to do with superheroes. Maryland is considering teaching Art Spiegelman's graphic novel "Maus," a Pulitzer Prize-winning story about the Holocaust. "There's a certain legitimacy to comics that has not been acknowledged," Grasmick says.
Maryland's comic curriculum will be voluntary, so any school district can opt not to use it. And Grasmick stresses that no school is doing away with traditional children's books. "We're not just handing out comic books," she notes, "we're developing thoughtful lessons to go along with it."
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
Twitter: @governing
Latest from Education
- Arizona Universities May Offer Reduced Tuition to Immigrants
- The Arizona Board of Regents announced plans to research options for offering in-state tuition rates for undocumented students.
- Bill Linking Welfare to Grades Passes Tennessee House
- After a lengthy and passionate debate, a House committee approved legislation that would reduce welfare benefits for families whose children are failing school.
- Washington Governor Switches Stance on Grading Schools
- Gov. Jay Inslee told Republican lawmakers he thinks their proposal to grade schools A-F needs further study, a blow to a concept Inslee fully embraced during the campaign.
- Partially State-Funded Preschool Wins Final Approval in Mississippi
- Mississippi government would directly fund a limited preschool program for the first time under a bill on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant.
- Tennessee Gov. Haslam Drops School Voucher Plan
- Gov. Bill Haslam abruptly withdrew his proposal for school vouchers after he and the bill’s sponsor in the state Senate failed to get guarantees from fellow Republicans that they would not try to expand the measure.
GOVERNING Data
- Gay Marriage States Map
- Map shows state laws legalizing or prohibiting gay marriage and civil unions.
- 2012 Population Estimates for Metro Areas
- Public Transit Agency Ridership Statistics
- Average Tax Refund by State
- Which Services Are Citizens Most, Least Satisfied With?
- 2013 State of the State Speeches Word Cloud
Events & Webinars
- It’s A Paperless, Paperless World..... Thinking Outside the Box to Gain Efficiencies through Prepaid Cards
- April 23, 2013
- Public sector organizations are under intense scrutiny to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible and with maximum transparency. An important consideration is the way in which payments are made and managed. Prepaid cards can offer flexibility, security and accountability to governments as a method of dispersing benefits, healthcare and social care payments, child benefits and housing benefits to their constituents.
- GOVERNING - Michigan Leadership Forum 2013
- May 1, 2013
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |