Adolescent Literacy
Explore resources designed to improve literacy instruction in middle and high school.
- View a visual diagram of all four practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices.
Adolescent Literacy
Adolescent Literacy > Overview & Tools
Data from recent national assessments indicate that many middle and high school students are failing to comprehend text at a proficient level. Even high school students with average reading ability...
Resource Type
Overview
Interventions for Struggling Readers
Adolescent Literacy > Intensive Intervention > Overview & Tools
Watch this multimedia overview to learn about using assessments to select interventions, the role of reading specialists and content teachers, and the types of instruction required to meet student...
Resource Type
Overview
Talking About Text: Discussion-Based Approaches to Reading Instruction
Adolescent Literacy > Text Discussion > Overview & Tools
View this multimedia overview to learn how providing adolescents with opportunities to discuss text can improve comprehension and engagement, both key features of reading achievement. Related...
Resource Type
Overview
Effective Strategies That Boost Reading Comprehension
Adolescent Literacy > Comprehension Strategies > Overview & Tools
This multimedia overview highlights key research findings and specific practice implications for comprehension strategy instruction. Related Files: Transcript
Resource Type
Overview
Providing Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
Adolescent Literacy > Vocabulary Instruction > Overview & Tools
Use this multimedia overview to understand the importance of providing explicit vocabulary instruction focused on words key to understanding content in both reading and subject area classrooms....
Resource Type
Overview
Engaging Adolescents in Discussions About Text
Adolescent Literacy > Text Discussion > Learn What Works
Dr. Janice Dole gives an overview of the recommendation to provide opportunities for extended discussion of text meaning and interpretation.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Designing Tiered Interventions
Adolescent Literacy > Intensive Intervention > Learn What Works
Listen to Dr. Deshler explain why some adolescents struggle with reading and the need for reliable student assessments and qualified specialists to provide intensive and individualized...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Improving Comprehension Through Text Discussion: What Does the Research Say?
Adolescent Literacy > Text Discussion > Learn What Works
Dr. Michael Kamil describs the results of a meta-analysis that reviewed 42 studies examining the effects of text discussion on reading comprehension.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Improving Adolescent Literacy: Key Recommendations From the IES Practice Guide
Adolescent Literacy > Overview & Tools
Dr. Michael Kamil, chair of the IES panel that developed the Practice Guide on Improving Adolescent Literacy, gives an overview of key instructional practices and intervention recommendations.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
A Classroom Scenario
Adolescent Literacy > Vocabulary Instruction > Learn What Works
In this interview Dr. Curtis describes what good vocabulary instruction would look like in a classroom. She addresses the need for explicit instruction and multiple practice opportunities in a...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Comprehension Strategies for Struggling Readers
Adolescent Literacy > Comprehension Strategies > Learn What Works
Dr. Don Deshler describes the characteristics of research-based, explicit, comprehension strategy instruction, including modeling, scaffolding, and opportunities for practice in a variety of...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Explicit Vocabulary-Teaching Strategies
Adolescent Literacy > Vocabulary Instruction > Learn What Works
Dr. Curtis describes explicit vocabulary instruction and provides classroom examples, talks about key strategies students can learn to make them independent vocabulary learners, and explains why it...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
