Readicide

Students are constantly drilled through tests, analysis', and essays of books. For many students this is readicide.

Readicide is the systematic killing of the love of reading. It's a massive problem in schools across the nation. Students should challenge themselves based on their needs and desire for knowledge. If a student truly wants to learn about every nook and cranny of a book then don't hold them back. Offer more courses for students to choose from at a younger age: Language of Composition, Literature and Composition, etc. But by all means, if a student has no need or desire to learn about the meaning behind text, then don't force it. Instead, try to rekindle the students love for writing and reading. When a person reads a book they need to let the author take them on the journey instead of attempting to dissect the author's intentions. Nothing should be forced.

On the other hand, I am very hesitant about banning literary fiction. Among my peers, I find that most students do not enjoy literary fiction in any way. If anything, these pieces of literary fiction are the cause for these student's readicide. But these books have so much to offer. The authors are literary geniuses and every detail has an intention, down to every last sentence.

With this in mind, 21st century English classes shouldn't abolish literary fiction, but instead have every student start on a different level of reading. Most will start at the bottom of the ladder, where the love of reading buds. Then as students progress, they will move their way up the ladder at their own pace. Most students wont make it to the higher levels where literary fiction and analysis essays are strewn, but instead they will learn the basic tools of reading and writing. This includes basic structures of essays and reading for enjoyment. We want to make sure every student is happy with what pace they are set to speed at and don't feel like they are drowning in a curriculum that doesn't fit their needs.