This document was prepared to assist literacy specialists in the national Regional Comprehensive Center network as they work with states to improve educational policy and practice in the area of adolescent literacy. It comprises three major parts: Improving academic literacy instruction for students in grades 4-12. Based on current research in adolescent literacy, this part discusses recommendations to improve literacy instruction in the content areas (e.g., science, social studies, history, literature), instructional recommendations for English language learners, and critical elements of instruction for special reading classes with struggling readers. It addresses three critical goals for academic literacy instruction with adolescents: 1) to improve overall levels of reading proficiency; 2) to (at least) maintain grade level reading skills from the end of third grade through high school; and, 3) to accelerate the reading development of students reading below grade level. Advice from experts about improving academic literacy instruction for adolescents. Eight experts with extensive experience conducting research on adolescent literacy were asked to respond to four questions about methods for improving adolescent literacy from the perspective of school- and state-level policy recommendations. They were asked to address both literacy instruction in the content areas and recommendations for struggling readers; they were also asked to recommend additional readings related to these questions. An annotated bibliography of their responses is included. Examples of state activities in support of improved adolescent literacy instruction. This part describes specific activities four states have adopted to improve adolescent literacy, placing the targeted activities in the broader context of each state's efforts to support improved reading instruction. Contact information for each state is included.
Citation: Torgesen, Joseph K., et al., Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center for Instruction (RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction, 2007)
Program: Education
