Finding time for students to read during class was listed as the most essential element in instructors’ work with beginning readers, according to a national survey of reading-education professors.
The survey, conducted recently by Texas Tech University, was designed to identify a set of skills or competencies for reading teachers. Of 825 professors questioned, 518 responded.
“This is the best thinking of the reading experts on what these competencies should be,” said Lester G. Butler, professor of education at Texas Tech and author, with Paula Lawrence, of the study.
“Providing the time for students to actually read is a problem, particularly with all of the demands upon education,” he said.
Ranked second in importance in teaching reading was eliciting student responses and providing feedback.--ab
