Improving Literacy In America

divAn alarmingly high number of American students continue to lack proficiency in reading, math, and science. The various attempts to address this problem have all too often resulted in “silver bullet” solutions such as reducing class size or implementing voucher programs. But as the authors of this critically important book show, improving literacy also requires an understanding of complex and interrelated social issues that shape a child’s learning. More than twenty years of research demonstrate that literacy success is determined by a combination of sociocultural forces including parenting, preschool, classroom instruction, and other factors that have a direct impact on a child’s development. Here, Frederick J. Morrison, Heather J. Bachman, and Carol McDonald Connor present the most up-to-date research on the diverse factors that relate to a child’s literacy development from preschool through early elementary school. Urging greater emphasis on the immediate sources of influence on children, the authors warn against simple, single solutions that ignore other pivotal aspects of the problem. In a concluding chapter, the authors propose seven specific recommendations for improving literacy—recommendations that can make a real difference in American education./DIV

A high level of literacy in both print and digital media is required for negotiating most aspects of 21st-century life, including supporting a family, education, health, civic participation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Yet, more than 90 million U.S. adults lack adequate literacy. Furthermore, only 38 percent of U.S. 12th graders are at or above proficient in reading. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction synthesizes the research on literacy and learning to improve literacy instruction in the United States and to recommend a more systemic approach to research, practice, and policy. The book focuses on individuals ages 16 and older who are not in K-12 education. It identifies factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood in general, and examines their implications for strengthening literacy instruction for this population. It also discusses technologies for learning that can assist with multiple aspects of teaching, assessment,and accommodations for learning. There is inadequate knowledge about effective instructional practices and a need for better assessment and ongoing monitoring of adult students' proficiencies, weaknesses, instructional environments, and progress, which might guide instructional planning. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction recommends a program of research and innovation to validate, identify the boundaries of, and extend current knowledge to improve instruction for adults and adolescents outside school. The book is a valuable resource for curriculum developers, federal agencies such as the Department of Education, administrators, educators, and funding agencies.

This handbook provides teachers with practical tips and advice on improving literacy skills for students with low vision. The book provides easy-to-understand explanations of vital topics such as interpreting eye reports, performing functional vision assessments, working with low vision service providers, and more. The valuable resource section, tables, sample reports and sidebars offer essential information on assessing low vision students and helping them use their vision effectively.

Having trouble interesting your students in history or the history textbook? Concerned about the ability of your students to actually read the textbook? Learn ways to tie reading strategies to the learning of history and sources that will help history come alive for your students. Nationally known literacy advocate Janet Allen discusses strategies for teaching nonfiction reading using Joy Hakim's award winning A History of US series as the center of a blossoming campaign among educators to integrate literacy and history. Classroom tested at a variety of grade levels, real student samples are interspersed throughout the book providing clearer understanding of the strategies in action.

All students deserve the opportunity to reach their full literacy potential, yet research shows that the numerous challenges faced by today's urban schools prevent many students from achieving this goal. Therefore, preparing teachers to effectively teach reading in diverse urban populations in ways that students find engaging and relevant must be a top priority of teacher education programs.

Having trouble interesting your students in history or the history textbook? Concerned about the ability of your students to actually read the textbook? Learn ways to tie reading strategies to the learning of history, and discover sources that will help history come alive for your students. Nationally known literacy advocate Janet Allen discusses strategies for teaching nonfiction reading using Joy Hakim's award winning A History of US series as the center of a blossoming campaign among educators to integrate literacy and history. Classroom tested at a variety of grade levels, real student samples are interspersed throughout the book providing clearer understanding of the strategies in action.

"Dispels the myths regarding culturally diverse learners and provides concrete strategies that any teacher can easily implement. The book contains current research from the most reputable sources in the field and is a must-read for every teacher."-Akina Luckett-Canty, Special Education TeacherBrighton Middle School, Birmingham, AL"This text addresses the literacy needs of learners who have been 'left behind.'"-Ursula Thomas-Fair, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood EducationUniversity of West GeorgiaGive students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds the literacy skills to succeed! All students bring unique cultural and language experiences to their learning. Offering perspectives from experts in diversity and literacy, this clearly organized, comprehensive resource illustrates how teachers can improve reading achievement for students from diverse backgrounds by combining research-supported best practices with culturally responsive instruction.Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction connects students' backgrounds, interests, and experiences to the standards-based curriculum. Teachers will find effective practices to help plan, implement, manage, and evaluate literacy instruction for students with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This book provides:A range of interventions that support five critical areas of reading instruction-phonemic awareness, phonics/decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehensionLearning materials that take advantage of multicultural literature, themes, and topicsGuidelines for helping students connect language and literacy tasks to their own cultural knowledge and experiencesMake a significant difference in all your students' reading success with effective, culturally responsive teaching practices!

Compares preschool education in the three countries, discusses how child care reflects social change and considers the issues of freedom, creativity, and discipline

Despite many education reform efforts, African American children remain the most miseducated students in the United States. To help you mend this critical problem, this collection of original, adapted, and previously published articles provides examples of research-based practices and programs that successfully teach African American students to read. Thoughtful commentary on historic and current issues, discussion of research-based best practices, and examples of culturally appropriate instruction help you examine the role of education, identify best practices, consider the significance of culture in the teaching-learning process, and investigate some difficult issues of assessment.