Adolescent Literacy
Statewide assessments of reading achievement show that the proportion of students proficient in reading declines as they move from elementary and middle school to high school across Wisconsin and our Nation. In May 2008, the Wisconsin Division of Libraries, Technology and Community Learning concerned about literacy in our youth launched a multi-year initiative that will champion high-quality teen services and build momentum to create a literate, well-educated citizenry and workforce.
In NE Wisconsin on March 18 and 19th of 2009 Outagamie Waupaca Library System and DLTCL with assistance from Waupaca Public Library Youth Librarian Sue Abrahamson and Waupaca County UW-Extension Youth Development Educator Connie Abert sponsored a workshop on Adolescent Literacy. The workshop included speakers Nicole Strang, UW-Madison Faculty on Adolescent Brain Development and Kym Buchanan, UW-Stevens Point Faculty on Video Games, Literacy and 21st Century Skills plus a panel discussion on academic success from Jill Sharp, At-Risk Coordinator/Associate Principal from the Shawano School District, Donna Young and Pat Peters, Middle and High School Media Specialist (respectively) from New London School District. To close the workshop, participants were asked to develop realistic plans for improving literacy in their communities.
These plans will be shared as they are created and developed on this blog, however, we are also interested in what your think. What are the causes? What are the challenges and barriers? Who are the partners that can make a difference in literacy? What can they do that will impact literacy? What have you heard that has been successful in other schools and communities?
