Learning about reading and the many different processes, skills, methods, and models have shifted my thinking to how much more I need to learn. Reading for school, work, pleasure and or on social media all contribute to my current reading practices coupled with the controversial secretary of education, Betsy Devos. With a divided country suggesting that Devos IS the best candidate for the position and on the opposing side suggesting that she is NOT the appropriate candidate for the job. Either way for the time being she IS the person responsible for federal policies and programs.
In the article, Summary of The Politics of Literacy By David Davenport and Jeffrey M. Jones outlines the pre-Devos era and delves into the history of the N.C.L.B act and investigates the opposite philosophies of our current Secretary of Education’s views and focuses on the Federal education reform policy created by George Bush Jr. The many, many pages of the N.C.L.B act shaped and shapes the way public school reading is designed. Ensuring that educators are held accountable teachers must qualify as“highly qualified” in their content area and school districts must demonstrate progress on their PAY Adequate Progress from year to year.
Reflecting on my work with younger students I try to learn as much as I can about the children while collecting baseline data. One measure I found particularly useful in the research was the journal article, A test for assessing Phonemic Awareness in Young Children by Hallie Kay Yopp. The evidence suggested in the research states that strong phonemic awareness may contribute to the latter stages of a developed reader. Adding more tools to a tool belt supports educators and their ability to support complex students!
Fast and furious was the theme of the coursework from the semester. Reading and re-reading research articles, making sense of theorists and making connections pioneered my “almost” 8-week marathon race. Summarizing and applying the brain processes needed to work properly in order for reading to happen is almost mind-boggling. My perception of brain functions was not entirely wrong rather learning to identify correlating research and using the research to support ideas is an enormous takeaway. Articulating thoughtfully and clearly current practices guided from research-based studies has supported my growth as a literacy educator.
Theory to Practice 