Bearing the Book Shortage

The Times reported this week that the Los Angeles Unified School District suffers a major textbook shortage. The lack of books is especially acute in inner-city high schools, where students often may not take home the few available classroom books for study. Students spoke with MARY REESE BOYKIN about how the scarcity affects them.

MARTHA LIMA

17, senior, Manual Arts High School

I transferred from a Catholic school to Manual’s magnet school. Five of my six classes were in the magnet program; I had a book to take home in those five classes. I had U.S. history in the regular program and we just had a classroom set of books there.

We could go back after school to check the book out overnight, but I tried to finish my homework in class. We have block scheduling. Each class lasts for two hours, the teacher teaches for 1 1/2 hours. During the last 30 minutes, we could finish our classwork or do our homework. Still, having a book to take home is an advantage because you can reread it for understanding.

WENDY WALKER

17, senior, Dorsey High School

I have attended Dorsey since the ninth grade. We don’t have enough books for students to take home. Last school year, in only one of my six classes did I have a book to take home.

The teachers often made copies from the book. Sometimes, the directions were not on the Xeroxed pages or the copies were unclear. At times, things were complicated because students didn’t follow what was going on because they couldn’t read the work from the beginning of the chapter.

Not having books to take home slows the work down. Without a book to study for yourself, you get frustrated.

I don’t think students losing their books is a good excuse for not issuing them. That’s the reason that there are book cards--to fine students who don’t return books.

It’s sad. In white areas, I believe each student has a book because they wouldn’t tolerate students not having books. In the inner city, the fault is placed on the school board or whoever is not making sure that we have books too.

HOWARD BYRDSONG

16, senior, Hollywood High School

We have multitracks. Two tracks are in session at the same time; there are not enough books for both tracks.

The lack of books creates a casual attitude toward school. The message is that the school really doesn’t care about students’ learning. They just want you to show up so that they get the money [state funding for average daily attendance].

JOSE FLORES

18, 1997 graduate, Venice High School

The advanced placement and honors students could take their books home. In regular classes, there were not enough books. The only two classes where I had books were economics and government.

It’s unfair that a chosen few get better teachers and take-home books. The masses get entry-level teachers, including student teachers; no take-home books; work sheets. All students should be given the same opportunities.