Improving Literacy in America: Guidelines from Research

Current Perspectives in Psychology

by Frederick J. Morrison, Heather J. Bachman, Carol McDonald Connor

An 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.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summarizes research findings on the causes of poor literacy levels among school children today, which persist despite increased government spending on education. The causes are complex and include different parenting methods, children's different learning abilities, teacher training, and misguided pedagogical conflicts over the best way to teach reading. The scale of the problem and the factors involved are overwhelming and it is disheartening to think about how ineffectively we've been dealing with it and are likely to continue dealing with it.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly a good book, but after having read many other in this field it did not add new information for me and it was a dryer and less interesting than many others that talk about the same issues.