During my teacher training for Special Education I learned a rule: Every sound educational program will work for 90% of the population. 10% will struggle. The reasons behind the struggle – the not-fitting in will vary, which makes helping them a real challenge. A class of 30? Three students will have a hard time. It’s amazing how consistent this is.
I’ve found this 10/90 rule to be true in other things as well. For instance, for bestseller books – 90% of the population may be going wild, but there’s always going to be a group that says – huh?
For example, congratulations to Kathryn Erskine on winning the 2010 National Book Award – I look forward to reading Mockingbird. But… I recently read a not-so-enthusiastic review on this same book. It’s not like there was a mistake made – it can come down to a matter of taste.
Reading is, of course, intensely personal and subjective – I’m thinking of some recent comments on this blog from a young reader for an example – and there will always be a small group of readers who don’t want to read what everyone else is reading.
They must be pretty sad about the fact that Tricycle Press is closing. This was a publishing house who did quirky and off-beat so well. Check out Jennifer Laughran’s post here.
Sigh.
Sarah Wones Tomp
WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK
Never knew about the 10% rule – I would have thought it would be more like 30%.
Hi Melissa – thanks for chiming in!
It’s been awhile since I’ve studied this so I hope I’m getting this right – but it’s the premise that bell curves are based on. For instance, in measuring intelligence, where the 90 % fall is the “average” range – out of it, either above or below is the other 10%.
The hard thing in the classroom is that with any given lesson, it can also be assumed that 10% of the class may not “get it” or didn’t need it in the first place – and it’s still considered a successful lesson – it sure is hard to be in the group that doesn’t.
Obviously, I don’t have any mathematical back-up or data on the book preference part!
-Sarah
Interesting commentary. I too find it distressing that Tricycle Press is shutting down. Inevitably, economics drives everything – from educational programs to publishing.
Happy to discover your blog. Thanks for commenting on mine!
Hi Megan!
Thanks for stopping by – we’ll definitely be back to your blog again!