The International Reading Association released its annual list that forecasts "hot" topics in literacy education. Hot is not the same as important, but indicates an area of high interest or even debate among reading experts. Conducted by Jack Cassidy and Stephanie Grote-Garcia, the 2014 survey polled 25 leading literacy scholars and researchers to find what's hot and what's not.
2014 IRA LITERACY SURVEY
HOT AND SHOULD BE HOT:
- Common Core State Standards
- Close Reading/Deep Reading
- Disciplinary/Content Area Literacy
- College and Career Readiness
- Informational/Nonfiction Texts
- Text Complexity
NOT HOT BUT SHOULD BE VERY HOT:
- Preschool Literacy Instruction/Experiences
- Adolescent Literacies
- Motivation/Engagement
- Struggling/Striving Readers (4th grade +)
- Writing
NOT HOT BUT SHOULD BE HOT:
- Literacy Coaches
- Critical Reading and Writing
- Differentiated Instruction
- Early Intervention (K-3)
- Formative Assessment
- Professional Development for Inservice Teachers
- Teacher Education for Preservice Teachers
NOT HOT AND SHOULD NOT BE HOT:
- Phonics
- Phonemic Awareness
- Fluency
- International Comparisons
(Cassidy & Grote-Garcia, 2013)
Surprisingly, lukewarm topics include digital literacies, English language learners, and political/policy influences, along with waning topics comprehension and vocabulary. The experts agree these should all be hotter!
