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Leave No Publisher Behind: AEP Letter Requests Clarification
July 23, 2002—At AEP's recent Educational Publishing
Summit in June, several publishers expressed concerns over the terminology
in the reauthorization of the ESEA. Specifically, they debated the
meaning of the phrase "scientifically based research"
and its implications for the supplemental publishing industry. Letters
from the International Reading Association and the Association of
American Publishers sent to the U.S. Department of Education addressed
this issue with regard to the Reading First program. (See our May
21 issue for more on the IRA letter.) AEP's members, however, are
concerned with how this phrase applies to the entire act.
In response, AEP has drafted a letter that asks for
a meeting between AEP members and USED officials to discuss "scientifically
based research." Most important, members would like to know
if this funding criteria applies to supplemental materials at all,
and if so, what type of research parameters are required.
"The frustration over this one phrase has been
palpable," said Charlene Gaynor, executive Director of AEP.
"It is our hope that AEP can facilitate a dialogue between
the government and our members."
FULL TEXT OF LETTER
July 17, 2002
Dr. Susan Neuman
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Building No. 6
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
Dear Assistant Secretary Neuman:
The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) commends
the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Representing
the most respected names in supplemental educational publishing,
for over a hundred years AEP’s mission has been to support
the growth of educational publishing and its positive impact on
learning and teaching. Thus, “no child left behind”
is a goal shared by our members and the United States Department
of Education.
As you know, supplemental materials are those that
are not basal, such as focused instructional materials, classroom
magazines, practice materials, and software. Like textbook publishers,
our members try to meet educational standards and requirements.
When education legislation is passed, they read it carefully for
business and curricular implications.
In a letter dated March 15, 2002, our counterparts
at the Association of American Publishers (AAP) expressed concerns
over whether or not there is an approved list of materials for the
legislation’s Reading First program. We concur with our colleagues
and appreciate Secretary Paige’s response that the Department
of Education would not endorse specific reading materials. Our publishers,
though, have additional questions regarding the Act.
Specifically, they are seeking clarification of the
phrase “scientifically based research,” which appears
throughout the entire law. While the Act provides a general definition
of “scientifically based research,” the exact implications
for educational publishers are unclear and potentially damaging.
They have asked AEP for guidance, but we believe this must ultimately
come from the Department of Education.
The following is a sample list of questions and concerns
from our members.
- First, does “scientifically based research,” at
any level, apply to supplemental materials?
- If so, is secondary research adequate? (Secondary research means
finding existing published research that matches the educational
foundations of one’s product and using that as a justification
to meet the requirement.)
- If primary level research is required, what are the criteria?
Will there be any requirements by the Department of Education
for school district participation, so that publishers will have
access to reliable user groups for the studies? Are there any
provisions in the Act to assist publishers with funding the research
process?
- Several of our companies’ products reflect core pieces
of the curriculum, such as spelling—a curricular area researched
with thousands of students over 100 years. Must they conduct new
tests to show students need to learn lists of words and subsequently
be tested on them?
- How will the research requirements affect materials for English
Language learners?
- If a company uses outside materials in its lesson, does it need
to test those too?
Our members strive to meet educators’ needs. In order to
help clarify the new legislation for them, AEP requests a meeting
with the Department of Education to help AEP and its members better
understand the meaning and consequences of “scientifically
based research.” We would be happy to facilitate this meeting
and any necessary communication between the Department of Education
and the educational publishing industry. We want to be a resource
for you as well as for our members.
Thank you for your attention to our concerns. I will call you by
Thursday, July 25.
Regards,
Charlene Gaynor
Executive Director
Cc: Dr. Rod Paige
Mr. John Bailey |
