Switch the next generation on to reading The active encouragement of reading for pleasure should be a core part of every child’s educational entitlement, whatever their background or attainment, as extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to students’ educational achievement. However while schools focus on teaching to the test, the curriculum will continue to narrow and the widespread use of extracts in the teaching of English and literacy will persist, to the exclusion of reading whole texts including those chosen by students themselves.