Making Sure Kids Get the "Right" Text
There is a story that goes like this: Some time ago I went into a shoe store and asked for a fifth-grade shoe. The clerk looked at me suspiciously and asked if I knew how much shoe sizes varied among eleven-year-olds. Furthermore, he pointed out that shoe size was not nearly as important as purpose, style, color, etc. But if I would specify the features I wanted and size, he could walk to the back and quickly reappear with several options to my liking. He further noted, somewhat condescendingly, that the store used the same metric to measure feet and shoes, and when there was a match between foot and shoe, the shoes got worn, there was no pain, the customer was happy and became a repeat customer. I called home and got my son's shoe size and then asked the clerk for a size 8, red high-top Penny Hardaway basketball shoe. After a brief transaction I had my shoes. I then walked next door to my favorite bookstore and asked for a fifth-grade fantasy novel. Without ...
