The Politics and Practice of Literacy Pedagogy: Ideology and Outcomes in Two Racially Diverse Settings

Abstract

Discussing ideologically opposing views of beginning reading, the authors trace the politics of reading curriculum in two racially diverse New Jersey school districts working to raise the literacy achievement of traditionally underserved students through socially just literacy education.

Key words::

• achievement gap
• literacy
• reading instruction

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Margaret Freedson

Margaret Freedson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education at Montclair State University where she prepares teachers in literacy and bilingual development, and teaches with the Newark-Montclair Urban Teacher Residency Program. Email: [email protected]

Wayne Eastman

Wayne Eastman is an Associate Professor and Vice-Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management at Rutgers University Business School. He is a past member and president of the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education and founder of the non-profit group GlobalSOMA. Email: [email protected]