Economics of Teaching Reading

Local priorities to address in EFA: stakeholders’ perspectives

By Jagruti Gala, Creative Director, Stones2milestones

The Context

As per recent reports upwards of 47% of Indian graduates are not qualified for any industry jobs, and ‘Lack of Communication, written and verbal skills’ are amongst the top skill-gaps identified by recruiters.

Why teach ‘Reading English’- The Economic Case

Research shows a direct correlation between the English skills of a population and the economic performance of the country The EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the largest ranking of English skills by country, found that in almost every one of the 60 countries and territories surveyed, a rise in English proficiency was connected with a rise in per capita income. – source HBR.Org

The study also found a correlation between English proficiency and the Human Development Index, a measure of education, life expectancy, literacy, and standards of living.

Why teach Reading?

Develops Creativity

Improves Communic

-ation Skills

Strengthens -

comprehension

Expands Thinking & Imaginatio

n

Improves Writing

skills

According to a study conducted in the United States, students who learn to read by the time they are in third grade are less likely to take drugs, drop out school or end up in prison

Improves vocabular

y and spellings

Reality Check

“The findings are significant because they come at a time when India is making a big push in education and improving the skills of its workforce. If the results from the two states hold good for the rest of the country, India’s long-term competitiveness may be in question.”

www.Livemint.com

PISA (A global study of learning standards in 74 countries that aims to assess education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students in participating economies.) has ranked India all but the bottom in overall reading skills.

Research Says- Catch them early!

Reading is one of the most valuable skills developed during childhood, but is also one of the most cognitively challenging proficiencies to acquire. (Lyon, 1998)

It is easier to remediate poor readers when they are younger, (ages six to seven), than when they are older. (Truch and Salvin)

Those who are behind in first grade have a 1 in 8 chance of catching up. (Juel, Griffith and Gough,Journal of Educational Psychology 78-4 (1986) and Juel, Educational Psychology 4 (2008))

Not only do poor readers never catch up, but a large percentage of children actually get worse over time. (Fletcher and Satx )

Teaching Reading- The key factors

75% of students identified with reading problems in third grade are still reading - disabled in 9th grade

The key is to start EARLY (between the age 3 to grade 3) to make a deep long lasting impact on a child’s interest and skill level in Reading

Especially relevant in India as English is a second language and it is not entirely phonetic

Explicit reading instruction helps children to become better readers than if they were left alone

Reading has to be taught systematically through developmentally graded strategies

Research on reading & its impact on children development indicates -

Well developed reading skill is the most important factor on which all future academic success is built

The Challenges to Reading

Our Indian society faces various challenges to reading, English in particular. Some of the challenges to English reading are listed below:

Not entirely phonetic

Second language

Cultural barriers

Reading not a priority

Teachers lack training

Academic pressure

Lack of resources /

public libraries

Distractions – alternative media

Cost

Lack of reading at home

“A large body of international research says that a systematic & explicit program in Reading Instruction proves beneficial in increasing student achievement in reading”

The greatest gift is a passion for reading. Elizabeth Hardwick

Wear the old coat and buy the new book.Austin Phelps

What is a good Reading Program?

Need for a research based Program devoted to the exclusive teaching of

READING

Aim should be to create children who choose to read – for purpose and for

pleasure

Need for a research based Program devoted to the exclusive teaching of

READING

Aim should be to create children who choose to read – for purpose and for

pleasure ComprehensionMaking meaningComprehensionMaking meaning

FluencySpeed and Accuracy

FluencySpeed and Accuracy

Creating a Reading Culture

Creating a Reading Culture

ExtensionLarger Connections

ExtensionLarger Connections

The Focus of the program should be on

The hallmark of a good Reading program is that all the instructional strategies should be embedded into a matrix of rich reading material and literature that is engaging, relevant

and meaningful

The Instructional Value

PhonologicalAwareness

Phonics

FluencyVocabulary

Comprehension

Reading

…to develop an awareness that words are composed of individual sounds, or phonemes, and to develop the ability to manipulate sounds in words

…to help children use the sound-symbol relationship to read and write words

…to enable a child to read words automatically and with good speed and accuracy

…to provide students with an understanding of the meaning and use of words so that they can comprehend what they are reading and communicate effectively

…to teach children specific strategies to understand the text while they are reading

A Program should give systematic & explicit instruction in all the crucial five components

The Inspirational Value

Wings of Words

IMPACTS

Feelings Thoughts

Actions

Cognitive DevelopmentCreativity

Open MindednessKnowledge Base

EmpathyReflection

ImaginationSensitivityMaturity

Decision Making Interaction

Working or Recreation

Program: Learning Processes

Read Aloud

Group Work

Reflection

Skill Development

Literature Response

Dialogue & Discussion

Let us make a DIFFERENCE to the world of a CHILD

Thank You !!!