Davidson, Jane 1988

Davidson, Jane L. (editor). 1988.Counterpoint and beyond: A response to becoming a nation of readers. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. 112 pages. 08141008768. Location: Dallas SIL Library 372.4 C855.

"Becoming a nation of readers" (Anderson and others 1985) is one report on the state of education (page 5). Purpose is "to summarize research findings and draw implications for instruction to provide for the improvement of literacy in [the United States]."

Davidson's monograph serves as a forum for the responses of a number of reading authorities to becoming a nation of readers (BNR). Addresses BNR issues considered

• controversial
• incomplete, or
• inconsistent.

Sets forth reactions and alternative recommendations for the improvement of literacy (page 1).

• Chapter 1 (David Bloome and others) analyzes metaphors used in BNR, and raises questions about their appropriateness.
• Chapters 2 through 6 discuss beginning reading instruction and advocate child-centered, language-based programs rather than formal instruction.
• Chapter 7 focuses on the need for literature appropriate for minorities.
• Chapter 8 argues for a comprehensive approach to content reading and reading instruction at secondary and postsecondary levels.
• Chapter 9 gives a school principal's reaction to the report.
• Chapter 10 gives positive and negative outcomes for curriculum which could result from following BNR's recommendations.

• Bibliography module: Davidson, Jane 1988
• In overview module: Bibliography (Literacy): D
• In modular book: Bibliography (Literacy), by Doris Gallemore, Trudi C. Hunt, Jeanne Swanson, and Stephen L. Walter
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 1 June 2000

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