The Onion reported:
"According to a report from the U.S. Department of Education released Thursday, watching a single episode of the British TV series Downton Abbey is the cultural and educational equivalent of reading an entire book. "It's a period piece with British accents and drama that hinges on each character's place within an aristocratic peerage system, so needless to say, viewing one show from beginning to end is basically the same as reading a book," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. "Also you really have to pay attention to the storylines, so it's also like reading in that respect. And it's not as if you can stop watching Downton Abbey for a while, come back to it, and remember exactly what's going on. You'd probably have to start over from the very beginning, just like you do with a book." Duncan then excused himself from the press conference so he could go home and watch a couple books before he went to bed"
Nevermind about literacy, kids- The US Department of Education says you can just watch BBC production of Jane Eyre rather than reading it since it is the "education equivalent" to reading.
I love Downton Abbey!! It is such better television than anything we have seen recently (well incomparision to all the reality show crap that I am also addicted to, ahem Kardashians and The Bachelor) but I would NEVER suggest that watching an episode would replace reading a book. Reading creates the image and events in your mind which encourages creativity and imagination. Watching a movie puts is on the screen for you- no imagination required.
This is a really good argument for private or home schooling- these are the idots that determine what our kids are taught and apparently it is OKAY to watch the 6 hour Pride and Prejudice (which is awesome!!) rather than read one of the best books ever written. It brings new meaning to "I'll wait for the movie to come out"
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