Is limited textbook access hindering Rockford students?

Sometimes, 12-year-old Christina Rowell can't help skipping her science homework.

Like the other students in her class, the Harlem Middle School seventh-grader doesn't have a science textbook of her own. And although each student has access to Web versions of the books and there are about 30 copies in the school library for students to borrow overnight, Christina says it's not enough.

"If you have homework, they're usually checked out almost instantly," she said of the library sets. "I don't really get to go on the computer that much. The one at home is really slow."

Despite Christina's plight, Harlem school officials say there is no shortage of books.

"The principal believes that he has enough learning materials for the students," Harlem School Board President Sandi Johnson said. "There are enough textbooks for students."

'We seem to be doing fine'

The School Board discussed expanding the science text series for Harlem Middle two years ago, but opted to wait so the district could invest in new materials for math and reading - two subjects in which Harlem students failed to meet adequate yearly progress in 2004 and 2005 as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

With 83 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards on state science tests, and 86 percent of Harlem Middle School students doing the same, school officials are confident in their science program.

"If the state test scores are any indication, we seem to be doing fine," Harlem Middle School Principal John Cusimano said.

No shortage of textbooks

Last year, the School Board decided to stick with the science texts they've used for several years at Harlem Middle School. There is no singular compiled textbook.

Instead, there are four science chapters. Each science teacher keeps enough of the chapters for students to use in the classroom, and an additional 30 or so are kept in the library for students to borrow overnight. Students also are given access to the texts online.

"It was a conscious decision at that point, not because we ran out of money or because we have a shortage. That (science) series is offered online, so they felt that was another way people could do their work from home," Harlem Superintendent Julie Morris said. "I don't know if that was made clear to the parents why we chose to do that."

Recently-retired Harlem Middle School science teacher and union President Lynn Kearney believes some parents have mistakenly assumed that the school's science materials are inadequate because the texts don't look like the ones parents brought home when they were students.

"They're used to seeing the big, fat textbooks," Kearney said. "We will never have another big, fat science textbook. We have gone to the smaller books that cover the various units, and they (teachers) kind of pick the units they wish."

Morris believes the perception that the district is short on books goes back to 2002, when the district's far-reaching budget cuts meant skimping on textbooks.

Since 2005, the district has spent at least $300,000 to put a math text in the hands of every Harlem student, she said. Next year, the district will likely replace language arts books.

Buying new or additional science books, which cost between $45 and $125 each, is a ways off.

"I can't say when science books would be replaced, because that's part of our planning. We felt it was important to replace math and reading books because of (adequate yearly progress). Now we need to sit down and determine what our plans are," Morris said.

Text checkout

Until that happens, middle schoolers are left borrowing textbooks from the library or studying online.

Harlem High School freshman Ryan Miller, 15, never had issues checking out a science book from the library when he was in junior high. He always tried to be the first to the library when homework was assigned, and didn't know the text was available online.

"I didn't have a problem, but other people did," he said. "It wasn't that big of a deal. But for people that didn't do work as fast as others, it might have been."

Christina's mom, Jeanne Rowell, refuses to accept that students must race to bring a textbook home.

"They have to check them out, that's the problem. Have you ever heard of checking out a textbook? It doesn't matter what time they start," she said, referring to the recent change in school start times in the district. "If they want to boost test scores, let's get some textbooks for these kids."

Staff writer Bridget Tharp may be reached at 815-987-1354 or btharp@rrstar.com.