Improving Academic Literacy

(Grades K-3, What Works Clearinghouse)

IES Practice Guide, Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through Third Grade. (Shanahan, et al., Sept. 2010)

This practice guide presents five recommendations that are supported by research. The fundamental assumption in this guide is that the objective of reading instruction is to give young readers the tools they need to understand increasingly sophisticated material in all subjects from elementary through later years of school. The practices recommended are therefore not an end in themselves, but the means to developing sound ability in reading comprehension. To be successful, these five recommendations must be implemented in concert, and clearly explained in a rich educational context that includes the following: a comprehensive literacy curriculum, ample opportunity for students to read and write while being coached and monitored by teachers, additional instruction and practice for students based on the results of formal and informal assessments, and adequate resources for students and teachers.

1. Teach students how to use reading comprehension strategies.ow to use reading comprehension strategies.
2. Teach students to identify and use the text's organizational structure to comprehend, learn and remember content.
   
3. Guide Students through focused, high-quality discussion on the meaning of text.
   
4. Select texts purposefully to support comprehension development.
   
5. Establish an engaging and motivating context in which to teach reading comprehension.

• Click here for a full document of all five recommendations.

(Grades 4-12, What Works Clearinghouse)

IES Practice Guide, Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices. (Kamil, et al., May, 2014)

This practice guide presents five recommendations that are supported by research. The NAEP data discussed in the overview make it clear that many adolescents lack the robust literacy skills they need for success in school and in the workplace. Many of these students can benefit tremendously when their classroom teachers adjust their instruction in ways that this practice guide recommends. The first four recommendations provide evidence-based strategies that can usually be implemented by regular classroom teachers, those who teach content areas to students.

1. Provide Explicit Vocabulary Instruction an Use of Academic Language.
2. Provide Direct and Explicit Comprehension Strategy Instruction.
3. Provide Opportunities for Extended Discussion of Text Meaning and Interpretation.
4. Increase Student Motivation and Engagement in Literacy Learning.
5. Make Available Intensive and Individualized Interventions for Struggling Readers that can by provided by Trained Specialists.

• Click here for a full document of all five recommendations.