Overcoming Literacy Learning Loss (Module 1): Developing Readers Using the Science of Reading

In the first unit of this literacy course, you will explore the current research regarding American students’ scores on standardized tests of national reading and analyze the variety of social, emotional, and economic factors that contribute to reading difficulties and gaps students may have.  You will hear discourse explaining why students are struggling with reading and why it seems expectations are not being met when it comes to the demands of schools’ reading standards. 

As part of this learning, you will look at both current and historical debates on reading instructional practices and discover more about what cognitive science and research based studies say about how to improve reading instruction for all students.  The latter lessons in this unit will begin to break apart the essential components of reading, as identified by the National Reading Panel, to help participants determine their significance in the progression of reading development.

Course Expert: Dr. Jessica Bigham (Click for Bio)