Editorial: Settling in for a good read

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 | 7:16 a.m.

Administrators in a small Michigan school district say they have noticed a reduction in playground aggression and an increase in standardized test scores since they challenged their students to turn off their televisions and video games a year ago.

According to the Associated Press, officials of the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District used a program designed by Stanford University in challenging their students to spend no more than seven hours a week in front of television and video games. The result was a 52 percent decline in aggressive playground behavior and improvements in standardized math and writing tests.

With less time in front of TV, children spent more time reading, parents said. And that is a good tidbit to remember as Clark County students celebrate Nevada Reading Week, which started Monday and ends Friday.

Students are hosting book drives, making bookmarks, enjoying readings by local celebrities and, of course, reading lots of books. Decker Elementary School Principal Mario Quinones promises to don a gorilla suit and spend an hour on the school's roof if his pupils reach their goal of reading for 44,000 minutes this week.

In an age where just about everything children watch or read can fit on a video screen, it's good to remember that TV still can't replace curling up with Mom or Dad and a good book - with or without a gorilla suit.