Full Description
Nearly 40% of all fourth graders in this country cannot read at grade level, and this number rises to 60% for children coming from poor families. This gap in learning increases as students go through grade school and is a primary reason for school failure. Ironically, this problem comes at a time when there is research to demonstrate that nearly all children can learn to read if taught using research-based instruction. Here, the authors describe the principles of this research in language that non-educators can understand and educators can use. It discusses how to recognize whether the research on reading is being used appropriately, and if not, how to make that happen. Through the eyes of parents and educators who have succeeded in their own struggles to change the educational system, the book provides the reader with the tools and knowledge for transforming the way reading is taught in their children's classrooms. This book takes the reader step-by-step through an understanding of the research on reading and ways in which a single, determined person can make a difference in the learning ability of every student in our nation's schools. Part One is a series of chapters written by individuals who discuss what they experienced during these battles and what made them successful. Part Two is written by a series of experts who describe how they have overcome the challenges involved in creating widespread change in school systems. The appendix is filled with resources-people, places, sample tools, a glossary and bibliography to help the reader.
Contents
Part 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Part 3 Part I: Beating the Odds Chapter 4 The Crisis in Our Classrooms Chapter 5 Armed with the Facts: The Science of Reading and Its Implications for Teachers Chapter 6 I Could Not Read Until I Was 30 Years Old Chapter 7 A Parent's Journey Chapter 8 A Parent's Pressure Cooker Part 9 Part II: Changing the Odds Chapter 10 When a Whole State Fails to Measure Up: One Grandmother's Fight for Phonics Chapter 11 Pulling Back the Curtain: Successfully Working With the Media Chapter 12 You Can Do It! How to Change Laws to Better Educate Children Chapter 13 Team Up With Teachers Chapter 14 Johnson Elementary School: A Transformed School Chapter 15 Hartsfield Elementary School: The Story of a Turnaround Chapter 16 The Last Word Part 17 Appendix A: What Is Scientifically Based Reading Research Part 18 Appendix B: How Do I Know a Good Early Reading Program When I See One? Part 19 Appendix C: Advice to a Teacher of Beginning Reading Part 20 Apendix D: Tools for Parents
