Writing for the Examiner, Edward Hayes makes an interesting case for the use of comic books to increase test scores in Chicago Public schools.  Hayes in his article goes over the fact Chicago schools aren’t creating scores high enough to meet the minimum requirements for Illinois universities and that those looking for reasons for the low scores point to racism and bias in the tests.

Hayes drawing on his experience as a school principal recounts that teachers confiscated numerous items over the years, Pokeman Cards, Transformers, weapons but unlike in his youth there were no comic books.

Hayes points out that today’s comic books feature a cover price point that’s prohibitive to the poverty seen in the schools he’s referring to.  But, he also points out that the lack of comic books creates a barrier and easy entry way into reading.  In his youth “everybody read something even if it was only a comic book.”

I used my Title 1 money that every ghetto principal has to set up an account with a comic book store on Mannheim Road.  I loaded up my kids with comic books and made sure my Gestapo teachers permitted them to read them for 30 minutes every afternoon.  Yes, my reading scores went up.  Folks, this is not rocket science.  Let’s cut the crap about mission statements, best practices, data systems, and teacher evaluations and work directly with the bloody kids and stop playing fiddily-duck with each other!

As we’ve previously covered comic books do seem to help improve scores and reading skills.  In Maryland, their five year old program has raised scores.  Studies show they can boost learning and motivate students.  And even the CBLDF has launched an initiative surrounding education.

While comic books aren’t a cure-all, it’s nice to see more people are taking them seriously.