Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Enhancing community well-being through partnerships in education
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Reading Instruction for Older Struggling Readers
Reading Instruction for Older Struggling Readers
As students progress through the grade levels, the demands of academically rigorous subject matter combined with greater dependence on informational text make it imperative for students to attain age-appropriate reading skills. Yet increasingly, numerous less proficient readers are found in grades four through eight. Although most have a command of social English, many students experience difficulties in reading and writing academic English. This briefing paper discusses possible reasons for the high number of older struggling readers, what teachers can do, and the importance of matching instruction to meet children's needs.