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The Conversation is an independent source of information, analysis and commentary from the university and research sector. an excellent site to be included in our Reasoning & Ethics Programmes.

that's what libraries and school libraries have done for eons-empower learners to become independent and productive citizens Carolyn Foote

The more students read, the better they'll read   So, why limit their reading to a pre-set reading level with limited titles available?  Students need opportunities to read easy books to build fluency  - This is ratified in Appendix A, Page 9,  of the CCSS standards.  We shouldn't have to define what level they should read at -- whether easy or hard -- for independent reading.  Students need experience reading complex text to improve their ability to decode meaning when they encounter difficult material - This is based on the research of Marilyn Jager Rand, PhD. Brown University Students will  shift from easy -->  hard  material if it's on a subject of their interest.  - So let them choose what they want and their innate curiosity will compel them to read and achieve understanding, thus raising their reading ability.  Students need curiosity to inspire reading.  They will either have natural curiosity or stirred up curiosity (stirred up by the educator)  Students need a reason to read that is not about 'assignment' - a quest for knowledge or an answer to find.