Episode 10: Accelerating Literacy Learning with Reading Apprenticeship
“If we are going to nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, writers, historians, teachers, problem solvers, we need to be able to tap students’ curiosities and capabilities and engage students in the hard work of digging into those texts in varied disciplines.” — Cynthia Greenleaf, Senior Research Scientist at WestEd
With national literacy scores in decline and with the loss of instruction time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for effective literacy professional learning for teachers and engaging students equitably is more important than ever. For over 25 years, Reading Apprenticeship at WestEd has improved teaching practice and helped thousands of students achieve high levels of academic literacy across multiple disciplines.
In this episode, host Marley Arechiga talks with Linda Friedrich, Director of Literacy at WestEd, and Cynthia Greenleaf, Senior Research Scientist in Literacy at WestEd. They discuss what over 25 years of Reading Apprenticeship research shows, focusing on what works in developing academic literacy, what has changed since its inception in the 1990s, and what is changing in literacy education today as students rebound from the pandemic.
Their conversation covers the following topics:
- the Reading Apprenticeship approach and its impact on teaching and learning
- national literacy scores and the need to accelerate literacy learning
- digital literacy and generative artificial intelligence
- Reading Apprenticeship’s seminal publication, Reading for Understanding, now in its third edition
Learn more about Reading Apprenticeship at WestEd.
Additional Resources
- Average ACT Score For the High School Class of 2022 Declines to Lowest Level in More Than 30 Years (Website)
- NAEP Reading: National Student Group Scores and Score Gaps (Website)
- Reading Apprenticeship Evidence Base (Website)
- Reflections on the Evolution of the Literacy Education Field—A Q&A with Cynthia Greenleaf (Blog)
- Reading Apprenticeship’s Professional Development Opportunities Calendar (Website)
Listen to more Leading Voices Podcast episodes.
Featured Guests
Linda Friedrich is the Director of Literacy at WestEd and leads the agency’s Reading Apprenticeship team, which has a proven track record in improving disciplinary literacy in middle school, high school, and college.
Cynthia Greenleaf is a Senior Research Scientist in Literacy at WestEd. For almost 30 years, she has conducted cutting-edge research in academic literacy and translated it into powerful teacher professional learning.
Resource Details
Format: Podcast
Minutes: 29
Publisher: WestEd
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