
The Reading Crisis
Why Poor Children Fall Behind
Harvard University Press
Published on 1. October 1991
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-674-74885-9 (ISBN)
Description
How severe is the literacy gap in our schools? Why does the nine-year-old child from a culturally disadvantaged background so often fall victim to the fourth-grade slump? Although the cognitive abilities of these "children at risk" may be consistent with the norm, their literacy development lags far behind that of other children. In The Reading Crisis, the renowned reading specialist Jeanne Chall and her colleagues examine the causes of this disparity and suggest some remedies.
Using Chall's widely applied model of reading development, the authors examine the strengths and weaknesses in the reading, writing, and language development of children from low-income families in an attempt to identify the onset of their difficulties. They show how, in the transition from learning the medium to understanding the message, the demands on children's reading skills become significantly more complex. The crucial point is fourth grade, when students confront texts containing unfamiliar words and ideas that are beyond the range of their own experience. According to Chall's findings, the lack of specific literacy skills-not cognitive factors-explains the deceleration in the reading and writing development of low-income children. The authors outline an active role for the schools in remedying weaknesses in literacy development, and give suggestions for the home and the community. Their recommendations address both practical issues in instruction and the teacher-student dynamic that fosters literacy development.
Using Chall's widely applied model of reading development, the authors examine the strengths and weaknesses in the reading, writing, and language development of children from low-income families in an attempt to identify the onset of their difficulties. They show how, in the transition from learning the medium to understanding the message, the demands on children's reading skills become significantly more complex. The crucial point is fourth grade, when students confront texts containing unfamiliar words and ideas that are beyond the range of their own experience. According to Chall's findings, the lack of specific literacy skills-not cognitive factors-explains the deceleration in the reading and writing development of low-income children. The authors outline an active role for the schools in remedying weaknesses in literacy development, and give suggestions for the home and the community. Their recommendations address both practical issues in instruction and the teacher-student dynamic that fosters literacy development.
Reviews / Votes
An important study for wide academic and professional attention. -- Suzanne W. Wood * Library Journal *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
1halftone, 20 line illustrations, 46 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-74885-9 (9780674748859)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2009
Harvard University Press
€30.69
Available for download
Content
Preface Acknowledgments 1. Literacy and Language among Low-Income Children 2. The Children, Their Schools, and Their Families 3. Reading Development 4. Writing Development 5. Language Development 6. Interrelations among Reading, Writing, and Language 7. Classroom Instruction and Literacy Environments 8. Home Influences on Literacy and Language 9. Influences on the Lower and Higher Grades 10. Where Do We Go from Here? Epilogue: Persistent Questions Appendix A: Samples of Narrative Writing Representing Average Holistic Ratings and Production: Students' Handwriting Appendix B: Samples of Expository Writing Representing Average Holistic Ratings and Production: Students' Handwriting References Index