Laching and Learning Program. NOTE Proceedings and Recommendations
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 220 794 CS 006 773 TITLE NIE Roundtable on Urban Reading. Final Report. INSTITUTION PSI Associates, Inc., Washington, DC. SPONS AGENCY 44Iational Inst. of Education (ED), Washington, DC. laching and Learning Program. PUB DATE 3 Jan 81 NOTE 174p. EDRS PRICE MF01/PC07 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Black Youth; Conferences; Elementary Education; Junior High.Schools; Learning Theories; *Reading Achievement; Reading Difficulties; Reading Research; Sociocultural Patterns; *Urban Areas; *Urban Youth IDENTIFIERS National Institute of Education ABSTRACT In November 1980, the National Institute,of Education (NIE) sponsored a roundtable on Issues in Urban Reading,the proceedings and recommendations of whichare included in this paper and focused on two major questions: What is contributingto the drop in reading scores during the elementary and middleschool years? and What are the skills and characteristics black children bringto the classrm? Following a foreword, the paper first presents the roundt ble agenda, and a summary of the proceedings. The major porti) n of the report contains Ihepapers presented by participants of the conference on the following seven topics: (1) issueson urban \\ reading: a sociolinguistic perspective, (2) thecompetency based approach for urban children, (3) context and ethnographyof urban reading programs, (4) learning theory andtha reading problems of urban black children, (5) issues in urban reading: expandingthe current NIE agenda, (6) research recommendations foran urban reading study, and (7) reading achievement and the social-culturalframe of reference of Afro-American children. (HTH) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best thatcan be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** UAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EOUCATION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) .1his document has been reproduced as s.rTeceivedfrom the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been inade,,to improve reproduction quality. POIIMSof view or opinions stated in this docu- meM do not necesurily represent official ME position or policy. FINAL REPORT NIE ROUNDTABLE ON URBAN READING Prepared by: PSI Associates, Inc. 1900 L Street, N. W. Suite 0301 Washington, D.C. 20036 Prepared for: Dr. John W. Chambers Reading and Language Studies Division National Institute of Education Washington, D.C. January 31, 1981 FOREWORD On NaveMber 19 and 20, 1980, the National Institutefor I Educatiot (NIE) sponsored a Roundtableon Issues in Urban Reading.. '11he roundtable was planned by PSI Associates, Inc., A a professional firm specializing in educational research, psychologicar serVices, and staff development training. The Meeting was chaired by Dr. Elizabeth A. Abramowitz, President of PSI. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: first, to bring 'together a multi-disciplinarygroup of reading experts to identify the major research issues in urban reading; second, to provide input to NIE's five-year research agenda in urban reading by recoMmending basic and applied research topics that would address the issues identified. The focus of the discussion and recommendations centered on two major issues identified by NIE: What is contributing to the drop in reading scores during theeelementary and middle school years? What alternative research strategies might address this concern? What are the skills,and characteristics black children bring to the classroom? How can these be used to improve reading development and main- tenance through the middle school years? 3 75, In addition to responding to the above questions,each participant presentedan abstract of thepaper prepared for the roundtable. The participantsrepresented a widerange of disciplines and areas of expertise and includedthe follOwingindividuals: Dr. Wade Boykin Dr. Helen Turner Department of Psychology Supervising Director ofReading Howard University D.C. Public Schools Dr. Fay Veughn-Cooke Dr. John W. Chambers Center for Applied Linguistics Reading and Language Studies Washington, D.C. Division Dr. John Ogbu National Institute of Education Department of Educational Dr. Elizabeth Abramowitz Studies President University of Delaware PSI Associates, Inc. Washington, D.C. Dr. Dolores Straker Educational Testing Service Ms. Marilyn Levie Princeton, New Jersey Education Specialist PSI Associates, Inc. This final report ofthe Roundtable on Issuesin Urban Reading containsa summary of the procedingsincluding the participants' recommendationsfor basic and applied research. Also included are copiesof the papers presentedby the par- ticipants.erhe appendix includesthe transcript of the two- day session.] ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword i Roundtable on Urban Reading: Agenda 1 Summary Procedings 3 Papers Presented by Participants 21 Issues in Urban Reading: A SociolinguisticPerspecitve 21 The Competency Based Approach: An EffecitveApproach for Urban Children 40 Context andEthnography of Urban Reading Problems 58 Learning Theory and the Reading Problems ofUrban Black Children 88 Issues in Urban Reading: Expanding the Current NIE Agenda 112 Research Recommendations for An UrbanReading Study 120 Reading Achievement and the Social-Cultural Frame of Reference of Afro-American Children 139 4 iii ROUNDTABLE ON URBAN READING AGENDA PSI Associates, Inc. Dr. Elizabeth A. Abramowitz 1900 L Street, N.W. Presiding Suite 301 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 659-6436 Wednesday, November 19, 1980 9:00 9:30 Continental Breakfast 9:30 - 9:45 .Introduction and Overview Dr. John W. Chambers, NIE 9:45 - 10:15 Review of Major DevelOpments In Urbaw Reading Ms. Marilyn Levie, PSI Associates 10:15 - 10:30 Break 10:30 - 12:00 Presentation of Abstracts by Participants: Dr. John Ogbu 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 2:00 Continuation of Presentations: Dr. Wade Boykin 2:00 - 2:15 Break 2:15 - 3:30 Continuation of Presenations: Dr. Fay 14tughn-Cooke 3:30 -4:00 Wrap-up and Summary 1 Thursday, November 20, 1980 9:00 - 9:30 Continental Brez.kfat 9:30 - 12:00 Continuation of Presentations: Dr. Helen Turner 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 2:00 Continuation of Presentations: Dr. Dolores Straker 2:00 - 2:15 Break 2:15 - 3:15 Discussion by Participants of Major' NIE Urban Reading Issues: 1. What is contributingito the drop in reading-scores during the elementary and middle school years?What alter- native strategies might address this Concern? 2. What are the skills and characteristics black children bring to the classroom? How can these be used to improve read- ,ing development and maintenance through the middle school years? 3:15 - 3:45 Recommendations by Participants for NIE Research Focus and Suggested Methodologies 3:45 - 4:00 Closing Remarks Dr. John W. Chambers, NIE 2 NOVEMBER 19, 1980 MORNING SESSION OPENING REMARKS BY D. ABRAMOWITZ The meeting was opened by Dr. Elizabeth Abramowitz, President of PSI Associates, Inc. The purpose of the meeting is to react to and add items to-the NIE agenda for research in urban reading. Two questions will be addressed: 1. What is contributing to the drop in reading scores during the middle and elementary school years? What alernative strategies might address this concern? 2. What are the skiljs and characteristics black child- ren bring to theliblassroom?How can these be used to improve reading development and maintenance through the middle school years? In addition to answering these questions, each participant will present an overview of their paper, followed by questions and discussion. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS BY DR. CHAYBERS An overview of the meeting's purpose was provided by Dr. John Chambers, National Institute of Education. Much of NIE researtIch in the past has not adequately addressed the educat066 of minority chililren, The purpose of the meeting is to generate input from you, (people sensitive to the needs of black children) to improve reading instruction for minority children in urban schools. The primary concern is improving student outcomes. i.e. reading,ability. The question to be addressed at this meeting is, whet type of research questions and issues should NIE support, what should NIE's agenda be? our emphasis should be on a holistic approach to reading; an interdisciplinary approach. Concensus at this meeting is not important; diverse opinions are welcomed. OP OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE BY MARILYN LEVIE Ar overview of the literattwe and NIE research agenda was provided by Marilyn Levie, PSI Associates, Inc. 3 After reviewing the NIE research agenda and conducting a literature review, four topics were identified by PSI as worthy of further research. These topics focus on practical applica- tion within classrooms: 1. Teaching reading or English across the curriculum; should there be a school jan§uage/literacy policy? ,what should its focus be; correct use of grammar or expansion of students' language abilities? 2, What are the ego needs of older readers (4-9th graders) how does this affect motivation, teacher style, learning modal- ities etc. 3. To what extent is research in urban reading focusing on hOw students acquire specific comprehension skills: concept formation, critical thinking and problem solving.; how are these skills taught; what strategies for teaching them can be devel- oped? %4. What is the future of advanced technology in teaching reading? how cost effective is it?what strategies work? what is the role of the teacher in using and adapting advanced tech- nology for classroom use? The NIE Research