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Becoming a nation of readers: The report of the Commission on Reading
Abstract
Fulfilling a need for careful and thorough synthesis of an extensive body of findings on reading, this report presents leading experts' interpretations of both current knowledge of reading and the state of the art and practice of teaching reading. The introduction contains two claims: (1) the knowledge is now available to make worthwhile improvements in reading throughout the United States, and (2) if the practices seen in the classrooms of the best teachers in the best schools could be introduced everywhere, improvement in reading would be dramatic. The first chapter of the report stresses reading as the process of constructing meaning from written texts, a complex skill requiring the coordination of a number of interrelated sources of information. The second chapter, on emerging literacy, argues that reading must be seen as part of a child's general language development and not as a discrete skill isolated from listening, speaking, and writing. The third chapter, on extending literacy, stresses that as proficiency develops, reading should not be thought of as a separate subject, but as integral to learning in all content areas. The fourth chapter concerns the teacher and the classroom and notes that an indisputable conclusion of research is that the quality of teaching makes a considerable difference in children's learning. The next two chapters note that standardized reading tests do not measure everything, and that teaching is a complex profession. The last chapter contains seventeen recommendations for conditions likely to produce citizens who would read with high levels of skill and do so frequently with evident satisfaction. In the afterword, Jeanne Chall comments on the history of the report, and three appendixes contain 260 references and notes plus lists of project consultants and the members of the National Academy of Education. (HOD)
... By the early 1980s, research based on cognitive science showed that manipulating texts to comply with readability formulas resulted in lackluster vocabularies [15]. When this research was disseminated in a national report [16], the nation's two largest states mandated that only authentic texts would be acceptable in the programs adopted for instruction [17,18]. Authentic texts were defined as those produced by the trade divisions of publishers, not their educational divisions. ...
... Policymakers frequently cited the national report Becoming a Nation of Readers [16] to mandate the use of authentic texts in reading programs. However, the report itself did not provide evidence supporting the efficacy of authentic texts in reading acquisition and development. ...
... However, the report itself did not provide evidence supporting the efficacy of authentic texts in reading acquisition and development. Rather, the report called for "interesting, comprehensible, and naturalsounding selections, while at the same time constraining the vocabulary" [16] (p. 47). ...
This study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of low-frequency and rare words, together described as rarer words, in elementary-level texts, examining both narrative and expository materials to assess their vocabulary demands. By mapping the nature of shifts in rarer words across grade levels and text types, this research aimed to better understand the lexical challenges students face as they progress as readers. Analyzing a corpus of 300,000 words from narrative and expository texts at grades 1, 3, and 5, the research employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitatively, a digital program categorized words into four frequency groups—high, medium, low, and rare—while examining features of word length and age of acquisition that can influence word meaning recognition. Qualitatively, the analysis classified rarer words into 13 lexical categories and assessed their morphological family membership. The findings reveal an increase in total rarer words from 5.7% to 8.7% across grades, alongside a major rise in unique rarer words (32% to 43%). The complexity of features predicting word recognition—word length and age of acquisition—also escalates with grade level. Notably, 23% of rarer words are forms typically not taught in vocabulary instruction, such as proper names, while 76% of rare words belong to morphological families in the high-, medium-, and low-frequency word zones. These results highlight the need for targeted vocabulary instruction that incorporates the complexities of rarer word usage in authentic texts, ultimately aiming to enhance students’ reading comprehension.
... Reading proficiency, therefore, should be paid more attention because it is a complicated skill as it requires the coordination and interpretation of a number of interrelated sources of information (Anderson et al., 1985). According to Wixson et al. (1987) reading is a process of decoding meaning through a complex interaction and process among: 1) the reader's existing comprehension and knowledge; 2) the new information delivered by the text being read; 3) the context of reading situation (Wixson et al., 1987). ...
The need of using English in global context has led schools in Indonesia to prepare and make their students proficient in English. However, the majority of English teachers may not have attained a level of proficiency deemed necessary for effective teaching. This study aimed to reveal the level of teachers' reading proficiency and to figure out how they perceived challenges and ways to improve their proficiency. Qualitative data was used as a method of inquiry. The study employed a narrative inquiry to dig deeper into teachers' perspective. A proficiency test, self-reflection (logbook), and interview were used as the instrument to measure 15 EFL teachers' proficiency and figure out their challenges and ways to improve their proficiency. The data was analyzed using inductive reflective thematic analysis and the findings showed that teachers proficiency varied, but most of them have a good reading proficiency equal to B2-CEFR level; It is referred to as upper intermediate and independent user by CEFR. In addition, five themes expressing the teachers' perceived challenges were revealed: 1) They experienced self-errors; 2) The answer is implied; 3) The text is difficult; 4) The question type is unfamiliar; 5) They encountered unfamiliar vocabulary. Moreover, the ways the teachers used to improve their proficiency were: 1) understand the question and passage carefully; 2) find main idea and supporting details; 3) familiarize with the topic; 4) Enrich vocabulary; 5) scan and take notes; 6) predict the question and keep focus. In conclusion, the findings provide the important insights into EFL teachers. Their collective experiences can be used to overcome the challenges faced by EFL teachers. INTRODUCTION Considered an international language, English is important to learn. The aim of the English learning is to make learners familiar and be able to master all fundamentals English skills such are reading, writing, listening, and speaking (Sadiku, 2015). By mastering all these skills, learners are expected to be able to communicate effectively in a global context (Hazar, 2021). Regarding this circumstances, English teachers play the most important role as they are responsible to teach and prepare the future students. They have to attain the required English proficiency level because their competence affects the quality of teaching and determines the success of students' learning (Jalal et al., 2009). In many nations including Indonesia, the teaching profession is still regarded as necessary to raise the quality of education. To help students communicate and compete globally, therefore, English teachers
... In order to look for information obtain knowledge, to read books English is mandatory and often used as the medium of instruction in higher education (Sultana 2014). According to Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkinson 1985, reading is a vital life skill, which ensures a child's success in school and even throughout his life. Children need to learn different reading strategies in primary sections (Sultana & Ahsan, 2013). ...
The research paper explores that how the students can develop their reading skills by using effective reading approaches. It is acknowledged that the reading comprehension is one of the most important parts in the English curriculum in all education level of Bangladesh. It is observant that teaching reading approaches are considered as an important procedure to develop the skills of the Bangladeshi students. In Bangladesh most of the teachers do not have the idea of teaching reading approaches. For this reason, the teachers should need to enhance their skills, knowledge and gathering proper idea about effective reading approaches as well as need to prepare themselves to utilize their practical experiences and knowledge on to their students. So the prime purpose of this study to show the effective reading approaches in order to develop student's reading skills in English. From June to December in 2018, an action research has been applied to a number of 40 students at higher secondary level in Manikganj, Bangladesh. The most important question of the study is "could the reading approaches help student's English reading comprehension studies?" The outcome of the study specifies that students who have been tutored about the reading strategies have a development to a great level.
... Reading is the process of understanding the meaning of written texts by coordinating large amounts of related information [15]. Reading comprehension is also a process in which the reader combines his prior knowledge, the information in the text, and the reader's perception of the relevant content of the text [16]. ...
Studies show that there is an increase of college students who prefer reading short summaries rather than long complex texts containing knowledge or theory. Thus, this study focuses on improving first-year students’ reading comprehension in Chinese courses by observing the effectiveness of teaching reading lessons in Chinese courses with the curriculum designed based on “schema theory”. The selected reading materials are extensive texts with certain knowledge or theories. For evaluation purposes, the reading test questions uses the same measure of reading proficiency levels of program for international student assessment (PISA) to assess learners’ reading comprehension, contextual reasoning, integration, and analysis abilities more accurately. By comparing the results and discrepancies of the pre- and post-assessment, the preliminary research found that the teaching practice and curriculum designed based on schema theory effectively improves learners' reading scores and instill habits to increase their tendency to reach a deeper understanding of the reading material. This finding demonstrates the effectiveness of applying schema theory to reading lessons; resulting in potential of immediate and enhanced levels of comprehension.
... Reading books aloud to children helps them acquire preliteracy skills and world knowledge that, together, support children's evolution to independent readers (Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkinson, 1985). The three components that interact during a read aloud are the adult, the child, and the book (Martinez & Roser, 1985;Sulzby & Teale, 1987;van Kleeck, 2003). ...
Reading storybooks aloud to prereaders helps them develop oral language skills; but educators struggle to select appropriate storybooks for read alouds. To better understand this selection process, we evaluated how experienced speech language pathologists (SLPs) apply the storybook selection rubric in Schwarz et al.'s (2015). A read-aloud storybook selection system for prereaders at the preschool language level: A pilot study.. That rubric includes: eight book characteristics, one four-level difficulty scale, and exemplar storybooks for each scale level. Using this rubric, 38 SLPs-who had served children at the preschool language level-rated 63 storybooks based on how difficult they thought the storybooks would be for children at the preschool language level to understand when the storybooks were read aloud to them. A principal component analysis identified-among the original eight characteristics a subset of five highly correlated characteristics related to overall text difficulty: vocabulary, story structure, sentence length, book length, and density. We revised the original rubric to include only four storybook characteristics: (a) text difficulty, (b) amount of inferencing, problem-solving, and abstract concepts, (c) familiarity of activities/experiences, and (d) level of support provided by the illustrations. Using quartile values of the text difficulty characteristic, we derived a four-level difficulty scale for the 63 storybooks. The revised storybook selection rubric simplifies the process of selecting appropriate storybooks for read alouds. The revised rubric and SLPs' difficulty ratings of 63 storybooks provide clinicians with a resource ready-made for clinical practice. ARTICLE HISTORY
This study explored the expositions of English teachers in enhancing the reading skills of secondary learners amid the pandemic, particularly in Davao del Sur division, there were ten (10) English teachers who participated in the study. This study made use of a phenomenological approach to extract the ideas of the participants. The virtual in-depth interview was employed to gather some information as regards to their respective experiences as they implement school-based programs on the reading skills enhancement of secondary learners amid the pandemic. Using the thematic analysis, the following themes emerged: interrupted face-to-face reading program implementation, deteriorating reading abilities during the pandemic, and stalled parents' involvement in the reading development of children. The coping mechanisms of the English teachers in enhancing the reading skills of secondary learners were establishing a reading environment, strengthening parents' involvement in the reading program, and the use of technology-related reading lessons. The insights drawn from the findings of the study were: Upskilling and reskilling of teachers in enhancing the reading skills of learners, and Plan reading programs appropriate for remote learners. They may continuously be innovative in designing reading programs appropriate for every modality preferred by the learners. The teachers may continue upskilling themselves to address the gaps of every learner in the school that needed attention in terms of reading literacy. Attending webinars is an avenue to enhance their competency in being an effective reading teacher.
Purpose
The proliferation of digital tools and instant access to information has diversified reading habits among Generation Z (Gen Z) students. The primary objective of this study is to examine the reading habits of Gen Z students at Dhaka University.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey questionnaire method was employed to collect data from 354 university students. We collected research data through printed questionnaires, and randomly selected students to answer survey questions. A total of 500 printed questionnaires were distributed to the seminar library, university hall library and Dhaka University library. Additional efforts made to engage students in classrooms.
Findings
Students prefer printed materials, particularly fiction and enjoy reading at home. The majority have emerged as dormant readers and prefer using mobile phones for reading. Hobbies and interests have been identified as significant influencers in shaping reading habits. Promoting a reading culture, improving access to books, integrating technology, expanding fiction collections, creating engaging content and tailoring outreach strategies are key steps to enhancing the reading habits of the Gen Z students in Bangladesh.
Social implications
These findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and educators seeking to foster effective reading habits among students by aligning strategies with their preferences and needs.
Originality/value
This study offers original insights into the reading habits of Gen Z students at Dhaka University, focus on enhancing library collections, particularly in fiction literature, addresses challenges such as space constraints and reflects innovative approaches to fostering improved reading habits among students.
Purpose. This paper examines how prepared Ethiopian public primary school English teachers are to teach early grade reading. Methodology. A descriptive research design of mixed methods was employed. A sample of 125 English teachers in 20 randomly selected primary schools in Hawassa City Administration was the source of data. The researchers employed a knowledge assessment test, focus group discussions, and questionnaires to gather the necessary data. The analysis of quantitative data was carried out by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0). Results. It has been learned from the findings that primary English teacher preparation paid little attention to coursework and practicum to teach early reading. The results also revealed that English teachers felt somewhat prepared to teach early grade reading. There is serious knowledge limitation among English teachers that (12)9.6% of primary English teachers scored 50% and above, whereas (113)90.4% of teachers scored below 50%; the teachers’ average knowledge test score was 36.4%. The results have clearly indicated that it is statistically significant, the direct relationship among teacher preparation coursework emphasis, practicum attention statistically significant, direct relationship among teacher preparation coursework emphasis, practicum attention, and teachers’ felt preparedness at (p=0.001). Conclusions. The results have led to the conclusion that teacher preparation, both in its coursework and practicum, did not pay due attention to teaching early grade reading. That is, primary English teachers were inadequately prepared to teach early grade reading. Based on the results of this study, to improve the practice of early literacy instruction, English teachers’ knowledge and skills gaps need to be duly addressed. Further studies that investigate the current practice of early literacy teacher preparation and professional development should be conducted with a larger sample size and diverse contexts.
