Reading researchers agree that content literacy strategies are beneficial in helping students learn. However, teachers remain resistant to teaching the strategies. Additionally, many students, even at the college level, lack the learning strategies necessary to experience academic success. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of content literacy strategy instruction. The research questions that guided the study addressed the benefits, obstacles, and support and experiences needed to sustain the use of the strategies over time. Multiple data sources were used to investigate teachers' and students' perceptions of the research questions. The main benefit found was increased student understanding and learning of content; additional benefits included increased instructional repertoire, increased student engagement in class, and improved learner independence. Most of the obstacles documented in the literature were supported in the study; however, the obstacle of time was noted most frequently. Teacher confidence was observed by the researcher as an obstacle. The majority of participants indicated they would continue using the strategies learned during the study in the future. Students noted the support needed to sustain content literacy strategy use depended on teachers providing direct instruction, practice using the strategies, and personal success with the strategies. Teachers also identified practice and perseverance as critical to sustaining content literacy strategy instruction. The support teachers noted most frequently as important to successful implementation was collegial support - teachers helping teachers. Teacher meetings discussing the implementation process were viewed as critical to sustain effective content literacy strategy instruction. Additionally, quality teacher training, administrative support, and accountability were documented by teachers as important.

Though attention to academic language is a key component of the Teacher Performance Assessment and the new Common Core Standards, little has been researched regarding how pre-service teachers build academic language knowledge and integrate it into their practice teaching experience. This study focuses on the construction and delivery of academic language knowledge to pre-service teachers in a one year immersion teacher preparation program. It studies the pre-service teachers' use of academic language knowledge in their planning, teaching, and assessment throughout a practicum and clinical experience, as well as their use of academic language knowledge as part of reflective practice. Through analysis of classroom observation notes, interviews, and artifacts, the data show that after receiving instruction on academic language concepts in the areas of content-area terminology and language use, reading, and writing, pre-service teachers consciously integrated an attention to the terminology and language use of their content area into their practicum experience. However, faced with understanding themselves as teachers while navigating their mentor teacher's expectations, learning the curriculum they are teaching, and developing classroom management skills, etc., attention to academic language instruction in reading and writing was limited. Recognition that content-area terminology and language use is key to accessing content, though, influenced reflection on how content knowledge is accessed. This conscious understanding of the role terminology and language use plays in accessing content knowledge opened the door for a deeper reflection on the role academic language plays in the classroom. And, during their post-practicum clinical experience, these pre-service teachers were able to more knowledgeably reflect on how to integrate specific content-area reading and writing instruction into curriculum. These conclusions suggest that an introduction to academic language concepts and practices can reveal "blind spots" that enable pre-service teachers to better address content-area literacy in their future practice. They also suggest that more focus in academic language instruction in teacher education programs could help pre-service teachers more efficiently learn the complexities of their new role.

How well students perform in mathematics and sciences continues to be a measure of a country's worth (Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences [CBMS], 2012). Nations that want an educated citizenry have consistently studied ways in which to improve performance in mathematics (Claessens and Engel, 2013; Dearing et al., 2012; Draper and Siebert, 2004). More and more researchers have examined the relationship reading has on mathematics performance (Grimm, 2008; Halaar, Kovas, Dale, Petrill, and Plomin, 2012). This study was an effort to contribute to this growing body of knowledge. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine what relationship exists between reading and mathematics and whether early reading performance could predict subsequent mathematics performance as measured by the Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments. Using a sample of students from a Virginia high school, this quantitative study utilized Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests as instruments and Chi-square Test of Association as the analysis to address the research questions: 1. What is the relationship between Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) reading performance and SOL mathematics performance at each grade level in Grade 3 through Grade 8? 2. What is the relationship between SOL reading performance in Grade 3 and subsequent performance on Virginia SOL End-of-Course Algebra I assessment? 3. To what extent does SOL reading performance in Grade 3 predict subsequent performance on Virginia SOL End-of-Course Algebra I assessment? Virginia SOL reading performance was found to be associated with mathematics performance at each grade level. Reading performance at Grade 3 was not found to be associated with Algebra I EOC performance. Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 reading performance were all found to be associated with Algebra I EOC performance. As a limitation, this study utilized data from assessments designed to assess the 2001 Virginia SOL standards, which have since been updated. Therefore should be replicated using the current standards. The results of this study could be used to assist teacher leaders, principals, division leaders, and teacher preparation program leaders with working with teachers to address reading and mathematics deficiencies in a different way. / Ed. D.

No description available.

Recent studies support the use of differentiated instruction (DI) to improve literacy in content area classrooms. At the same time, research has found that few teachers implement DI purposefully or consistently. Accordingly, a case study design was used to explore middle school content area teachers' understanding and implementation of DI for content literacy at a site where it is an integral component of the response to intervention (RTI) process. The conceptual framework for this study was principles of differentiation, as defined and discussed by Tomlinson. Research questions were framed to examine how middle school content area teachers defined and implemented DI for content literacy by asking what they know, do, and need to effectively implement or sustain DI. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of 7 middle school content area teachers through semistructured interviews, a focus group, and unobtrusive data in the form of lesson plans. Descriptive and pattern coding were used to analyze the interview and focus group data for overarching themes. Emergent themes were validated through member checking, triangulated with themes identified in the lesson plans, and interpreted against principles of differentiation. Results indicated all participants were implementing DI for content literacy to some extent. The data also revealed participants wanted to improve their instruction but believed they needed additional supports: time to plan and gather resources, opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, and professional development to learn strategies to better differentiate for content literacy. The findings helped inform a project that provides identified supports for teachers as they differentiate instruction to improve content literacy, resulting in positive social change.