Some parents object to summer reading

As published in the Record Journal Monday June 10, 2013

By Eric Vo
Record-Journal staff
evo@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@ericvoRJ

WALLINGFORD — There are mixed feelings among parents about making “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” mandatory reading for incoming freshmen at both Sheehan and Lyman Hall high schools.

As part of the school system’s efforts to achieve a 100 percent graduation rate, the 21st Century Innovation Team — made up of two teachers and an administrator — selected the book to be read by freshmen so they could develop a “growth mindset.”

To ensure that families don’t have to purchase the book and that every incoming freshmen will be able to read it, 1,000 copies of “Mindset” were purchased. The books will be sent to students at the end of the month.

It can be difficult to enforce the required reading material, but from the first day of school, the concepts and ideas of “Mindset” will be present in the classroom. The students will take part in discussions of the book, according to Kate O’Donnell, a member of the Innovation Team.

“We want it to become part of the culture,” she said. “We’ve asked all teachers to include it in their discussions and any activities they do.”

Priscilla Torcello, whose daughter will a ninth-grader during the 2013-14 school year, believes students should be able to do as they please during the summer break.

“They have such limited time in life to be kids,” she said. “They need some downtime to just be kids.”

Students are going to school until June 28, with summer vacation cut short because of winter weather. It’s another reason Torcello feels students shouldn’t be forced to read a book.

“Summer vacation is summer vacation,” she said. “When we take vacations from work, do we do work on vacation? I don’t think we’d be very happy if our boss told us to bring and do work on a vacation. There’s other things the kids would be doing.”

Torcello was also concerned for her daughter, who is a special education student. Although O’Donnell said ninth graders should be able to read the book, Torcello believes it’ll be a challenge getting her daughter to read the book and to grasp the concepts.

But O’Donnell said the Innovation Team took into consideration students who might not be at a ninth-grade reading level or may have trouble reading the book. To help them, O’Donnell said, she will provide parents with videos that discuss the differences between a growth and a fixed mindset.

The book maintains that intelligence and ability are not fixed and can be increased through discipline, hard work and by not being afraid to fail.

“They’ll still get the information even if they don’t read every single thing from the book,” she said. “As long as they understand the basic concepts and ideas, they’ll be fine.”

‘It’s not a choice’

Other parents were concerned their children wouldn’t read the book at all because of the subject matter itself. The books were sent out to some teachers and staff members in the school system earlier this year. The book was criticized by some teachers. Some parents questioned how they would get their children to read “Mindset,” if adults wouldn’t do it.

“We did not require teachers to read it. If every teacher didn’t read it, then that’s their choice. It was not required reading — it was recommended. We wanted all the teachers to have exposure to the concepts,” O’Donnell said. “To students, it’s required reading. It’s not a choice.”

But Bob Morrison, a parent in town, said people shouldn’t jump to conclusions so quickly. Morrison read the book and believes in its message. Although he doesn’t have a child entering high school next year, he believes his children would be willing to read the book if they were asked to.

“The kids who are normally inquisitive ... would pick it up,” he said. “They may surprise us all.”

Both O’Donnell and Patty Pursell, another Innovation Team member, said the parents can use the opportunity to read the book with their children and discuss it.

“It’s a great opportunity for parents to be included in the Wallingford 100; in changing the mindset and helping students achieve 100 percent graduation rate,” O’Donnell said. “It’s an opportunity for them to read the book with their child or have discussions with them.”

“The parenting chapter really spoke to me,” said Pursell, who bought the book for her kids. “There’s something there for everybody.”

Parents and students will also have the opportunity to speak with the book’s author, Carol Dweck, on Aug. 28 at the Oakdale Theatre. If they have questions about anything in the book, it’s another opportunity for them to get answers,O’Donnell said.

The Innovation Team plans to have each incoming class of freshmen read “Mindset.” It’s unclear whether parents will continue to express their concerns or will become accustomed to the requirement. But for now, the parents in town are divided over the assignment.

“I’m all for reading and encouraging kids to read more,” Torcello said. “But I think there's a limit.”