Dive Brief:
- This year's annual International Literacy Association conference will focus on folding literacy instruction into non-reading subjects like math and science to promote language proficiency.
- The need for literacy instruction is real, according to ILA presenter Jana Echevarria, who points to a recent California survey, which found that almost 75% of the state's English Language Learners are lacking necessary literacy skills to succeed academically.
- The July conference in St. Louis is the first since ILA changed its name from the International Reading Association, a switch meant to symbolize increased attention to literacy proficiency in all content areas.
Dive Insight:
District Administration highlights the upcoming conference with a sneak peek of what is to come. For example, attendees will get to learn about "Novel Engineering," a new project from Tufts University’s Center for Engineering Education Outreach. With the program, students learn about engineering (a STEM subject), while also delving into character motivation and plot.
Since math deals with problem solving, the idea is to bring that "problem solving" mindset to book analysis. The objective is to push critical thinking from new avenues.