Literacy Now

A new report released today by the International Literacy Association (ILA) reveals that only 34% of teachers surveyed felt equipped by their teacher preparation programs with the skills needed for effective early reading instruction. The differences in how teachers are prepared carries a price tag, according to respondents; the majority point to the variability of teacher knowledge and effectiveness as being among the greatest barriers to equity in literacy education.

The ILA 2020 What’s Hot in Literacy Report provides a snapshot of what 1,443 literacy professionals from 65 countries and territories deem the most critical topics to advancing literacy worldwide over the next decade. In addition, it identifies top challenges and supports needed by those in the field.

Early literacy skills and equity emerged as top critical topics from those surveyed; access to high-quality books and content, professional learning opportunities and effective instructional strategies for struggling readers rounded out the top five.

The findings regarding teacher preparation and the variability of teacher knowledge and effectiveness relate directly to current conversations in the field regarding which instructional methods are included in preservice programs—and how much emphasis they are given. This lack of effectiveness also points to the need for more ongoing professional learning opportunities, a critical topic cited by respondents throughout the survey.

For example, though the majority of teachers reported that both phonics and phonemic awareness were covered in their preservice programs, the percentage who said their program did an “excellent” or “very good” job of preparing them to use these methods was low—27% for phonics and 26% for phonemic awareness. In addition, 30% of those surveyed indicated a desire for more professional development and/or a greater understanding of explicit and systematic phonics instruction.

More than a quarter of teachers said they need support in both creating a professional learning network and pursuing professional learning opportunities. In addition, 50% of respondents believe the topic of ongoing professional learning needs more focus and attention from education policymakers.

“Overwhelmingly, we learned that educators in the literacy field are in need of support,” said ILA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post. “This survey helps us to identify where that support is needed so, as a professional organization, we can provide solutions.”

Another area in which the majority of respondents expressed the need for support is research. A whopping 93% cite research as the backbone of effective literacy instruction, and staying current on research was cited as a top three responsibility of literacy educators by 50% or more of teachers, literacy consultants and higher education professionals. In addition, 44% said this is an area in which they needed more support. And most—85%—agreed that academic experts and professional associations should provide that support.

The full survey findings are available in the ILA 2020 What’s Hot in Literacy Report, available at literacyworldwide.org/whatshot. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #ILAWhatsHot.

As we leave 2019 behind and enter the new decade, we look back on the top read content on Literacy Daily that had our readers engaged, informed, and entertained. Out of hundreds of posts, the top read covered a wide range of hard-hitting topics—from the celebration of literacy events to exploring research-based literacy instruction. Enjoy the top 10 most visited blog posts below—just in case you missed them!

10. Affirming Individuality and Identity Through Picture Books and Storytelling

9. #ILAchat: The Power and the Promise of Independent Reading

8. A Marie Kondo Approach to Literacy Instruction

7. Rethinking Assessment in Word Study: Five Ready-to-Go Ideas

6. How and Why to Include Word Solving in Intermediate Grades

5. Student Choice Is the Key to Turning Students Into Readers

4. Ten Resources for Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of World Read Aloud Day

3. Creative Assessments for Independent Reading

2. Research-Based Literacy Instruction Strategies

1. What Research Really Says About Teaching Reading (Even Beyond ILA 2019

In addition to the top blogs, we’ve also compiled the top keyword searches from 2019:

• Making sense of what research says
• Vocabulary
• Phonics
• Diversity
• Fluency
• Sight words
• Personalized professional development
• Writing
• Assessment
• Comprehension

We look forward to bringing our readers more content and resources on Literacy Daily in 2020!

For more than 20 years, ILA has published the What’s Hot in Literacy report. With the 2020 What’s Hot results launching January 22, Literacy Daily takes a look back at what survey respondents prioritized as the top issues in education just two years ago.

• Early Literacy was both hot and important. It took the No. 1 spot as the most important topic for the second year in a row.

• Equity in Literacy Education was a critical global issue. It was the No. 2 most important topic in developing countries and the U.S. and No. 1 in other developed countries. The survey defined equity as “ensuring all children get what they need not only in situations of poverty and limited resources but also regardless of academic proficiency, geographic remoteness, and any other barrier to school success.”
  
  Survey comments suggested that these factors unlevel the playing field, and that governments do not provide supports necessary to overcome the disparities.

• Family Engagement and Community Partnerships were more important than they were hot. Both topics should be getting more attention.

• More focus was needed on Teacher Preparation. It was the topic with the highest gap between attention it currently receives and how important it is to advancing literacy. According to 85% of respondents, Teacher Preparation is extremely or very important. Survey comments revealed that respondents felt that new teachers often enter the classroom without the skills needed to foster literacy success.

• Digital Literacy was the No. 1 hot topic but was not nearly as important to our respondents as other topics (including Disciplinary Literacy). “Fake news” was an increasingly popular topic in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which could explain why people are paying more attention to digital literacy.

• Formative Assessments was valued much more than Summative Assessments—which falls last at No. 17 in importance.

Keep a look out for the 2020 What’s Hot in Literacy Report coming January 22. In the meantime, share with us on Twitter how you think education has changed over the past two years by tweeting us at @ILAToday.

We have received messages from a number of you regarding inflammatory and inappropriate comments made at a recent conference hosted by a state chapter.

We want to make it clear that ILA does not tolerate speech that is harassing, threatening, or violent in nature.

In 2018, ILA implemented a Code of Conduct for Participants of ILA Meetings and Events to ensure that the ILA conferences and other ILA meetings and events are safe spaces for all involved.

Leaders of our state chapters, which host their own state conferences, are encouraged to adopt or adapt this Code of Conduct for their meetings and events as well.

Furthermore, ILA’s Member Code of Conduct sets forth an expectation for all members to “follow the ethical standards and best practices evidenced by this Code of Conduct at all times, including, but not limited to: behaving with common courtesy and civility; conducting themselves in a businesslike, ethical and appropriate manner; and not engaging in or facilitating any discriminatory or harassing behavior.”

ILA takes reports of misconduct very seriously. While our organization does not comment on active investigations or disciplinary procedures, we want to assure our members, conference attendees, and other stakeholders that we are taking the appropriate steps to address this situation and are looking at other safeguards we can put in place to avoid a similar incident in the future.

Lastly, we want to encourage those who have experienced or observed violations of either Code of Conduct to contact us by emailing safety@reading.org.

The ILA Board of Directors exemplify the best in literacy leadership. Through commitment, thought leadership, and expertise, each member is dedicated to ILA’s mission: to empower educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all.

The Nominating Committee seeks committed and capable candidates from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, professions, perspectives, and areas of expertise to serve on the ILA Board of Directors. Vital to the organization’s long-term success and financial health, nominees should be individuals who are dedicated to achieving ILA objectives, which include actively promoting ILA’s mission, ensuring effective organization planning, participating in all Board activities, and maintaining adequate resources.

Kia Brown-Dudley, current ILA Board Member and director of Literacy and Development at The Education Partners, was elected in 2019.

“ILA has been a trusted resource since day one of my career in literacy education, over 20 years ago,” Brown-Dudley said. “Joining the Board is my way of paying it forward—helping to advance equity, transforming literacy for future generations.”

Board members are asked to serve a three-year term (2019–2022) and should plan to spend at least 50 hours a year on ILA activities, excluding travel. Meetings are conducted face to face and virtually. Each Board member is expected to serve on one or more committees or task forces.

For Brown-Dudley, meetings are one of the best parts of the job.

“My favorite part of being a Member-at-Large is meeting, collaborating, and serving our dynamic, dedicated membership, as they work assiduously to make the transformative power of literacy accessible for all,” she said.

Wondering if you should apply? Brown-Dudley says to just do it! Whether you are an advocate, educator, researcher, or work in the public or private sector, you have a unique set of skills and experiences that will add value to the organization's leadership team.

Learn more about serving on ILA's Board of Directors, as well as how to nominate yourself or a colleague for one of the open positions, by downloading this guide. You can submit a nomination for yourself or a colleague through January 10, 2020.