Briefly in the news

Author Maureen Stout, who calls for an end to school programs that

celebrate low expectations, will speak this week at the Newport Beach

Public Library.

Stout, an assistant professor at Cal State Northridge, will present her

book, “The Feel-Good Curriculum: The Dumbing Down of America’s Kids in

the Name of Self Esteem.”

In her book, Stout analyzes the grade inflation and social promotion,

which have become part of the country’s education systems. She casts a

critical eye on such self-esteem based teaching models as whole language

learning and Ebonics.

The lecture will take place on Tuesday 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Newport

Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. Admission is $8 for library

foundation members, students and seniors; $10 for general admission.

For more information, call the Library foundation at (949) 717-3890.