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    2013 IRA Research Award and Grant Recipients

     | Jul 11, 2013

    The following talented researchers, some quite accomplished and some at the beginnings of their careers, were recognized at a ceremony in San Antonio on Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the International Reading Association's 58th Annual Convention.

     

    2013 IRA Esther Zolt Academic Research Grants

    Josephine Marsh, Lettice Pelotte, and David Krauter, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
    “Inter-grad Digital Discussions: An E-Pal Project Using In2Books”

    Elizabeth M. Hughes, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    “Motivating Students to Achieve: The Impact of a Pen Pal Program on Students’ Achievement and Motivation” 

    This award is sponsored by Nina Zolt and Miles Gilburne to honor the memory of Esther Zolt.

     

    2013 IRA Dina Feitelson Research Award

    Michael J. Kieffer, New York University, New York, New York
    “Converging Trajectories: Reading Growth in Language Minority Learners and Their Classmates, Kindergarten to Grade 8,” published in American Educational Research Journal, 48(5), 1187–1225, October 2011
    This award is sponsored by Jehuda Feitelson to honor the memory of Dina Feitelson.

     

    2013 IRA Jeanne S. Chall Research Fellowship

    Susan Gray, The City University of New York, New York, New York
    “Adult Literacy and Citizenship: Empowering Struggling Readers with Morphological Instruction and Civics”

     

    2013 IRA Steven A. Stahl Research Grant

    Angela Williams, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
    “Using Students’ Perceptions and the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation to Improve Reading Motivation and Achievement in an Elementary Classroom”
    This grant is sponsored by Katherine A. Stahl to honor the memory and work of Steven A. Stahl.

     

    2013 IRA Elva Knight Research Grants

    Tanya Christ, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan
    X. Christine Wang, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
    “How Emergent Readers Explore and Develop Skills and Strategies for Reading Digital Texts”

    Amy Stornaiuolo, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    “Exploring Social Reading: Adolescents’ Literacy Practices in an Interactive Reading Community”

     

    2013 IRA Helen M. Robinson Research Grant 

    Eric Claravall, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California
    “Examining the Potential of the Teacher as Researcher Model in Developing Morphological Awareness Among Struggling Readers”


    2013 IRA Teacher as Researcher Grants

    Rachael Cooper, Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School, New York, New York

    Jodene Morrell, Columbia University, New York, New York
    “Using Multicultural Literature to Increase and Improve Diverse Urban Third Graders’ Socioemotional Wellness, Cultural Awareness, and Writing”

    Peta Gresham, The King’s School, North Parramatta, Australia
    “Pedagogy, Technology, and Creativity: Fostering Student Achievement in Senior English”

    Michelle Gunderson, Nettelhorst Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois
    “Teachers’ Approaches to Intervention Planning for Struggling Readers Using an RtI Framework”

    Rawia Hayik, Eilaboun Elementary School, Eilaboun, Israel
    “Through Their Eyes: Israeli-Arab Students Speak Up Through Participatory Documentary Photography Projects”

    Danielle Kachorsky, Precision Academy, Phoenix, Arizona
    “Young Adult Literature as a Bridge to the Canon”

     

    2013 IRA Albert J. Harris Award

    Lynn M. Gelzheiser, University of Albany, Albany, New York
    Donna Scanlon, University of Albany, Albany, New York
    Frank Vellutino, University of Albany, Albany, New York
    Laura Hallgren-Flynn, University of Albany, Albany, New York
    Christopher Schatschneider, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
    “Effects of the Interactive Strategies Approach— Extended: A Response and Comprehensive Intervention for Intermediate-Grade Struggling Readers,” published in The Elementary School Journal, 112(2), 280–306, December 2011

     

    2013 IRA Outstanding Dissertation of the Year

    Byeong-Young Cho, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; dissertation from the University of Maryland; chaired by Peter P. Afflerbach; dissertation title:
    “Adolescents’ Constructively Responsive Reading Use in a Critical Internet Reading Task”
    The IRA Outstanding Dissertation Award is sponsored by SchoolRise, LLC.

     

    2013 IRA Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Finalists

    Vicki S. Collet, dissertation from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York; chaired by Mary McVee; dissertation title:
    “The Gradual Increase of Responsibility: Scaffolds for Change”

    Rebecca S. Donaldson, dissertation from the Utah State University; chaired by D. Ray Reutzel; dissertation title:
    “What Classroom Observations Reveal About Primary Grade Reading Comprehension Instruction Within High Poverty Schools Participating in the Federal Reading First Initiative”

    Darcy Anne Fiano, dissertation from the University of Connecticut; chaired by Mary Anne Doyle; dissertation title:
    “Primary Discourse and Expressive Oral Language in a Kindergarten Student”

    Lindsay P. Grow, dissertation from the University of Kentucky; chaired by Janice F. Almasi; dissertation title:
    “The Identity Development of Preservice Teachers of Literacy in Field Experiences Considering Their Prior Knowledge”

    Andrew P. Huddleston, dissertation from the University of Georgia; chaired by Donna Alvermann; dissertation title:
    “Making the Difficult Choice: Understanding Georgia’s Test- Based Grade Retention Policy in Reading”

    Charlene Sue Huntley-Martin, dissertation from the University of Oklahoma; chaired by Priscilla Griffith; dissertation title:
    “A Study of Factors that Contribute to Pre-Service Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy for Literacy Instruction”

    Elizabeth L. Jaeger, dissertation from University of California, Berkeley; chaired by P. David Pearson; dissertation title:
    “Understanding and Supporting Vulnerable Readers: An Ecological Systems Perspective”

    Michael L. Manderin, dissertation from the University of Illinois at Chicago; chaired by Cynthia Shanahan; dissertation title:
    “Reading Across Multiple Multimodal Texts in History”

    Darcie D. Smith, dissertation from the University of Nevada, Reno; chaired by Shane Templeton; dissertation title:
    “How Do 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Students’ Categories of Cognitive Reflections in Interviews on Derivational Morphology Compare to Their Upper Level Spelling Inventory Orthographic Knowledge?”

     

    Learn more about these awards and grants at /awards.

     

    The following talented researchers, some quite accomplished and some at the beginnings of their careers, were recognized at a ceremony in San Antonio on Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the International Reading Association's 58th Annual Convention. ...Read More
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    2013 International Reading Association Council Awards

     | Jul 11, 2013

    council awards ceremonyAt the International Reading Association, the activities of our state/provincial and local councils are integral to our mission of literacy outreach and professional development for educators. We celebrated them with these awards at the IRA 58th Annual Convention in April 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.

    Exemplary Reading Program Award Winners
    The following schools were given these awards through their state councils.

    East Elementary School, Cullman, AL
    Willis D. Shaw Elementary School, Springdale, AR
    Blackwater Community School, Coolidge, AZ
    Loomis Grammar School, Loomis, CA
    Grove Avenue Elementary School, Barrington, IL
    Tonganoxie Elementary School, Tonganoxie, KS
    Arabi Elementary School, Arabi, LA
    Reidsville Middle School, Reidsville, NC
    Englewood Elementary School, Salem, OR
    Loomis Elementary School, Broomall, PA
    Campobello-Gramling Elementary School, Campobello, SC
    Pi Beta Phi Elementary School, Gatlinburg, TN
    Stewart Elementary School, Huntsville, TX
    Belview Elementary, Radford, VA
    School District of Fort Atkinson Elementary Schools, Fort Atkinson, WI
    Blackwater Community School, Coolidge, AZ

     

    Membership Achievement Awards

    GOLD

    Alaska State Literacy Association
    Alberta Provincial Council
    Connecticut Reading Association
    Illinois Reading Council
    Texas Association for Literacy Education (TALE)
    Utah Council
    Wisconsin State Reading Association

    SILVER

    North Dakota Reading Association
    West Virginia Reading Association

    BRONZE

    Indiana State Reading Association
    Minnesota Reading Association
    New York State Reading Association

     

    Student Membership Achievement Awards

    GOLD

    Alabama Reading Association
    Arkansas Reading Association
    Diamond State Reading Association
    Georgia Reading Association
    Idaho Council
    Kansas Reading Association
    Louisiana Reading Association
    Maine Reading Association
    North Carolina Reading Association
    North Dakota Reading Association
    Saskatchewan Reading Council
    Vermont Council on Reading

    SILVER

    Indiana State Reading Association

     

    Local Council Community Service Award

    Cody Reading Council (Cody, WY)
    Rindi Plambeck and Rebecca Davis, Co-Presidents

     

    Advocacy Awards

    Connecticut Reading Association
    Cathy Mastrianna, President

    Illinois Reading Council
    Pat Braun, President

    Louisiana Reading Association
    Dorothy Young, President

    Michigan Reading Association
    Grace Velchansky, President

    Oklahoma Reading Association
    Lori Pendelton, President

    Virginia State Reading Association
    Valerie Robnolt, President

     

    Awards of Excellence

    Alabama Reading Association
    Nancy Nix, President

    Arizona Reading Association
    Ollie Archambault, President

    Arkansas Reading Association
    Deborah Hardwick-Smith, President

    British Columbia Literacy Council
    Patricia Weaver, President

    California Reading Association
    Lynn Gurnee, President

    Colorado Council
    Hollyanna Bates, President

    Diamond State Reading Association
    Maureen Keeney, President

    Florida Reading Association
    Evan Lefsky, President

    Georgia Reading Association
    Lynn Minor, President

    Illinois Reading Council
    Patricia Braun, President

    Indiana State Reading Association
    Chris Judson, President

    Iowa Reading Association
    Anthony Pieper, President

    Kansas Reading Association
    Donita Shaw, President

    Kentucky Reading Association
    Diana Porter, President

    Louisiana Reading Association
    Dorothy Young, President

    Manitoba Reading Association
    Louise Duncan, President

    State of Maryland IRA Council (SoMIRAC)
    Marilyn Barber, President

    Massachusetts Reading Association
    Sherry Sausville, President

    Michigan Reading Association
    Grace Velchansky, President

    Missouri State Council
    Terry Sherer, President

    Montana State Reading Council
    Karen Hickey, President Elect

    Nebraska State Reading Association
    Cynthia Mangers Johnson, President

    New Mexico State Council
    Kristy Hays, President

    New York State Reading Association
    Peter McDermott, President

    North Carolina Reading Association
    Sandra Cook, President

    North Dakota Reading Association
    Gloria Jones, President

    Oregon Reading Association
    Carol Folk, President

    Keystone State Reading Association
    Susan Menser, President

    Saskatchewan Reading Council
    Gisele Carlson, President

    South Carolina State Council
    Callie Herlong, President

    Tennessee Reading Association
    Kathy McCollum Brashears, President

    Virginia State Reading Association
    Valerie Robnolt, President

    Washington Organization for Reading Development (WORD)
    Dawn Christiana, President

    West Virginia Reading Association
    Jone Hersch, President

    Wisconsin State Reading Association
    Janice Weinhold, President

     

    Honor Councils

    Year 1 Honor Council

    Gila County Reading Council, AZ
    Lynette Dyas, President

    Nicholas County Reading Council, WV
    Tony Nichols, President 

    Year 2 Honor Councils

    Connecticut Northwest Council, CT
    Sandra Potts, President

    Pennyrile Council, KY
    Janet Walker, President

    Year 3 Honor Councils

    City of Seattle Council, WA
    Denise Gudwin, President

    IRA Student Literacy Council of the University of Delaware, DE
    Cosimo Faella, President

    Manitoba Council of Reading, Clinicians, MB
    Monica Wiebe, President

    Murray, Kentucky Area Council, KY
    Chhanda Islam, President

    Northern Illinois Reading Council, IL
    Elizabeth Hoelting, President

    Prairie Area Reading Council, IL
    Ellen Kacic, President

    West Suburban Reading Council, IL
    Marlene Panebianco, President

    Year 4 Honor Councils

    Arkansas River Valley Reading Council, AR
    Sandra Mitchell, President

    East Central Indiana Council, IN
    Chyenne Wilder, President

    Edgefield Reading Council, SC
    Ginger Wates, President

    Illinois Title I Association, IL
    Marilyn Cordes, President

    Pinnacle Special Interest Reading Council, AR
    Francie Ross, President

    Year 5 Honor Councils

    Blue Grass Area Council, KY
    Lisa King, President

    Crystal Coast Reading Council, NC
    Dawn Simpson, President

    Yavapai Reading Council, AZ
    Joan Masaryk, President

    Year 6 Honor Councils

    Heritage Reading Council, AL
    Lori Ann Gibson, President

    Jacksonville Reading Council, AL
    Lesley Bean, President

    University of Mobile Reading Council, AL
    Candace Early, President

    Year 7 Honor Councils

    Elmore County Reading Council, AL
    Glenda Vanermen, President

    Lake Cumberland Area Reading Council, KY
    Christina Warinner, President

    Sunset Reading Council, OR
    Judy Fisher, President

    Year 8 Honor Councils

    Benton County Reading Council, TN
    Karen Terry, President

    Driftwood Reading Council, OR
    Melia Jasso, President

    Greater Louisville Council, KY
    Synthia Shelby, President

    Onslow-Lejeune Council, NC
    Tracy McIntyre, President

    Umpqua Reading Council, OR
    Katrina Scott, President

    Year 9 Honor Councils

    Autauga Reading Council, AL
    Faye Moore, President

    Berkshire Reading Council, MA
    Catherine Salvini, President

    Connecticut Association for Reading Research, CT
    Judy Stone Moeller, President

    Northeast Louisiana Reading Association, LA
    Dewanna Eady, President

    Niagara Frontier Reading Council, NY
    Patricia Oliphant, President

    Two Rivers Council, IL
    Julie Steinke, President

    Year 10 Honor Councils

    Bay County Reading Association, FL
    Kathleen Fontaine, President

    Delaware County Council
    Annemarie Jay, President

    Eastern Connecticut Reading Council, CT
    Joanne Bell, President

    Three Sisters Reading Council, OR
    Mary Hawes, President

    Upper Shore Reading Council, MD
    Robin Plummer, President

    Vineyard Valleys Reading Council, OR
    Melinda Larson, President

    Year 11 Honor Councils

    Kent Council, MI
    Martha Vermeulen, President

    Northeast Montana Council, MT
    Jane Kolstad, President

    Sussex County Organization for Reading Excellence, DE
    Lisa Burnham, President

    Year 12 Honor Councils

    Laurens County Reading Council, SC
    Vicky Culbertson, President

    Robeson Council, NC
    Anthony Spallino, President

    Tennessee Valley Reading Council, AL
    Sharon Walker, President

    Year 13 Honor Councils

    Cherokee Reading Council, SC
    Tina Morris, President

    Kewetin Nene Council, SK
    Debby Noble, President

    Marshall County Reading Council, WV
    Jennifer Lipinski, President

    Northeast Arkansas Council, AR
    Viola Snow, President

    Year 14 Honor Councils

    Arkadelphia Area Reading Council, AR
    Kaila Murphy, President

    Baldwin County Reading Council, AL
    Linda Noble, President

    Emerald Empire Council, OR
    Karren Timmermans, President

    Hamilton County Reading Council, IN
    Amy Catania, President

    Jesse Stewart Council, KY
    Marcia Ellis, President

    Massachusetts Association of College and University Reading Educators, MA
    Jacy Ippolito, President

    Mid-State Reading Council, IL
    Janel Bolender, President

    Newberry County Reading Council, SC
    Pamela Cromer, President

    Webster County Highlander Reading Council, WV
    Aleda Hileman, President

    Year 15 Honor Councils

    Eastern Iowa Reading Council, IA
    Julie Ortner, President

    Greater Hartford Area Council, CT
    Laura Caruso, President

    Greater Paradise Valley Reading Council, AZ
    Julie Berlin, President

    Saluda Reading Council, SC
    Meredith Miller-Rikard, President

    South East Reading Council, SK
    Joan Bue, President

    Year 16 Honor Councils

    Central Montana Reading Council, MT
    Connie Metcalfe, President

    East Central - EIU Reading Council, IL
    Ingrid Minger, President

    Flint Hills Council, KS
    Roger Caswell, President

    Washington Parish Reading Council, LA
    Rita Mulina, President

    Year 17 Honor Councils

    Guam Council, GU
    Jonathan Pilarca, President

    Headwaters Reading Council, WI
    Colleen Konicek, President

    Mid-Shore Reading Council, MD
    Elizabeth Coxon, President

    Monmouth County Reading Council, NJ
    Joyce Noren, President

    Reading Council of Northern Delaware, DE
    Cecilia McCormick, President

    San Joaquin County Reading Association, CA
    Anne Weisenberg, President

    South Arkansas Reading Council, AR
    Dana Kelly, President

    Spartanburg County Council, SC
    Amanda Cox, President

    Year 18 Honor Councils

    Cape Cod Council, MA
    MaryEllen Caesar, President

    Central Minnesota Reading Council, MN
    Beth Laudenbauch, President

    Fort Collins Council, CO
    Laura Whale, President

    Fox Valley Reading Council, WI
    Teri Rucinsky, President

    Piedmont Area Reading Council, VA
    Joyce Spencer, President

    Year 19 Honor Councils

    Cook Inlet Council, AK
    Elizabeth Zeuli, President

    Gateway Reading Council, CA
    Paula Aja, President

    Jefferson County Council, AR
    Kathy Carnahan, President

    North Louisiana Reading Council, LA
    Loretta Jaggers, President

    Placer Area Reading Council, CA
    Jenn Tverberg, President

    Suburban Council, IL
    Laura Polkoff, President

    Year 20 Honor Councils

    Chicago Area Reading Association, IL
    Margaret Richek, President

    Kent Council, DE
    Kimberly Cole, President

    Mason County Council, WV
    Lei Sergent, President

    Northwest Arkansas Council, AR
    Donna Owen, President

    Reading Council of Southern New Jersey, NJ
    Jane Arochas, President

    Southern Maryland Reading Council, MD
    Linda Forrest, President

    Year 21 Honor Councils

    Central Arizona Reading Council, AZ
    Carolee Sopicki, President

    Chester County Reading Association, PA
    Glendia Kennedy, President

    Eisenhower Area Reading Council, KS
    Janelle Riedy, President

    Grant County Reading Council, AR
    Tara Derby, President

    Kanawha Council of International Reading Association, WV
    Barbara Jones, President

    New River Valley Reading Council, VA
    Peggy Kincaid, President

    Piedmont Reading Council, SC
    Denise Schweikart, President

    SEARK Reading Council, AR
    Julie Workman, President

    Three Rivers Reading Council, AR
    Michele Newnum, President

    Twin Rivers Council, NC
    Janet Zinni, President

    Year 22 Honor Councils

    Berkeley Reading Council, SC
    Cathy Delaney, President

    East San Gabriel Valley, CA
    Melissa Lowry, President

    Madison Area Reading Council, WI
    Janet Farnan, President

    Mid-Hudson Council, NY
    Mary Ann Zuccaro, President

    Tri-County Reading Council, PA
    Penny Naugle, President

    Year 23 Honor Councils

    Cecil Council, MD
    Jessica Kubek, President

    Lake Washington Council, WA
    Cim Dew, President

    Rainbow Reading Council, AL
    Felicia Chambers, President

    Raleigh-Wake Council, NC
    Anita Stack, President

    Rogue Valley Council, OR
    Tonya Noon-Toledo, President

    Smoky Mountain Reading Council, TN
    Tammy Madon, President

    Year 24 Honor Councils

    Carroll Reading Council, MD
    Joanne Dicke, President

    Eastern Shore Reading Council, MD
    Michelle Shreeves, President

    Frederick County Reading Council, MD
    Kathleen Reifschneider, President

    Lancaster-Lebanon Reading Council, PA
    Carol Severance, President

    North Central Reading Association, ND
    Amy Engelhard, President

    Shenandoah Valley Reading Council, VA
    Sandra Proctor, President

    Southeast Regional Reading Council, MA
    Janice Standring, President

    Year 25 Honor Councils

    Duval County Reading Council, FL
    Sandra Pruitt, President

    Moore County Council, NC
    Misty Clark, President

    Nassau Reading Council, NY
    Kathleen Conway-Gervais, President

    Pikes Peak Council, CO
    Claudia Miller, President

    Roanoke Valley Council, VA
    Charles Richards, President

    Weld County Reading Council, CO
    Michele Warner, President

    Year 26 Honor Councils

    Colonial Association of Reading Educators Council, PA
    Kathleen Sagl, President

    Metro-Mobile Reading Council, AL
    Pamela McDade, President

    Phyllis Allen Smith
    North Shore Council, MA
    Holly Banusiewicz, President

    Western Kentucky Council, KY
    Sara Jennings, President

    Year 27 Honor Councils

    Anne Arundel Reading Council, MD
    Beth Burke, President

    Central Wisconsin Reading Council, WI
    Amber Garbe, President

    Gary Reading Council, IN
    Lolita Good-Lewis, President

    Midland Empire Reading Council, MT
    Janelle Wilson, President

    Portland Council of IRA, OR
    Barbara Kutasz, President

    Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg, MB
    Cindy Thiessen, President

    Wood County Reading Council, WV
    Lois Meadows, President

    Year 28 Honor Councils

    Capital Reading Council, OR
    Kathleen Moran, President

    Central Arkansas Council, AR
    Daisy Hunt, President

    Chesapeake Reading Council, VA
    Heather Bailey, President

    Euclid Council, OH
    Hannah Szabo, President

    Evansville Area Reading Council, IN
    Holly Titus, President

    Geary County Council, KS
    Rolinda Smith, President

    Howard County Council, MD
    Maria Moy, President

    Jefferson County Council, CO
    Dana Plewka, President

    Phoenix West Council, AZ
    Melissa Selby, President

    Tennessee Tech Council, TN
    Michele Campbell, President

    Year 29 Honor Councils

    Alameda County Reading Association, CA
    Jeannette Alday, President

    Brooklyn Reading Council, NY
    Milton Mayers, President

    Cabell County Council, WV
    Tina Cooper, President

    Columbia Area Reading Council, SC
    Evette Bradley, President

    Contra Costa Reading Association, CA
    Tanya Leyden, President

    Hardy Reading Council, IA
    Karla Bronzynski, President

    Harrison County Reading Council, WV
    Chrisanne Diaz, President

    Lee’s Summit Reading Council, MO
    Julie Caldwell, President

    Marion County Reading Council, WV
    Twyla Rote, President

    Mid-Valley Council, OR
    Cheryl Graham, President

    Nobscot Council, MA
    Marlene Correia, President

    North Central Arkansas Reading Council, AR
    Jeanne Harvey, President

    North Central Council, TN
    Mary Truka, President

    Palmetto Council, SC
    Brenda Capps, President

    St. Louis Suburban Council, MO
    Thomas Cornell, President

    Tulsa County Reading Council, OK
    Tulagina Smith, President

    Wayne County Reading Council, MI
    Hakim Shahid, President

    Year 30 Honor Councils

    Arrowhead Reading Council, MN
    Pamela Tomassoni, President

    Central New York Council, NY
    Kathryn Lester, President

    Delaware Valley Reading Association, PA
    Ann Finore, President

    Metropolitan Reading Council, NE
    Janet Larson, President

    Sacramento Area Reading Association, CA
    Meg Gillman, President

    Springfi eld Council, MO
    Sarah Logan, President

    Tucson Area Council, AZ
    Kathryn Bell, President

    West Jersey Reading Council, NJ
    Susan Yoder, President

    Year 31 Honor Councils

    Central Nebraska Reading Council, NE
    Rebecca Bartlett, President

    Erie Reading Council, PA
    Anna Landers, President
    Greater Boston Council, MA
    Jean Helstrom, President

    Greater San Diego Reading Association, CA
    Maureen Begley, President

    Greater Washington Reading Council, VA
    Kathryn Miller, President

    Harford County Reading Council, MD
    Lisa Komondor, President

    Newport News Reading Council, VA
    Sherry Edbauer, President

    Orange County Reading Association, CA
    Megan Sommers

    Richmond Area Reading Council, VA
    Debi Buck, President

    Santa Clara County Reading Council, CA
    Kari Ito, President

    Virginia Beach Reading Council, VA
    Jennifer Haws, President

     

    Read more about these and other awards on the International Reading Association awards and grants webpage. Learn more about councils or find your local council on the IRA councils page.

     

    At the International Reading Association, the activities of our state/provincial and local councils are integral to our mission of literacy outreach and professional development for educators. We celebrated them with these awards at the IRA 58th...Read More
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    2013 International Awards and Grants

     | Jul 11, 2013

    At the IRA 58th Annual Convention in April 2013 in San Antonio, Texas, we gathered to celebrate our members from around the world. The following members and international affiliates were recognized for their service to the field of literacy. 

    Constance McCullough Award

    Carla Jean Raynor, A Growing and Developing Society— Intergenerational Learning with Families at the Core Bhutan

    Global Volunteer Award

    Dr. Anne Sustik, Illinois Reading Association

    Dr. Janet Condy, Reading Association of South Africa

    International Membership Development Awards

    Perhimpunan Baca-Tulis Masyarakat (PBTM), Indonesia

    Sindh-Balochistan Reading Council, Pakistan

    Literacy Projects in Countries with Developing Economies

    Beatrice Tafon Takeh, Children’s Book Club, Cameroon

    Dr. Apolonia Tamata, Evaluating the Information Text Awareness Project (ITAP) and Documenting Localized Teaching Practices in Fiji, Fiji

    Majidova Robiya Abduvalievna, Reading Club for Young Learners in Kairakkum, Tajikistan

    Dr. Pinheiro Angela Maria Veira, The Professionalization of Literacy Teachers in Brazil, Brazil

    Hadi Tabassum Samina, Teach for India, India

    Margaret Muthiga, Reading to Rebuild and Nourish, Argentina

    Melina Porto, Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Spanish Speaking Argentina, Argentina

    Geraldine Nanjala, Library Program in Ndege Primary Schools, Kenya

    United Kingdom Association Literacy Awards

    UKLA Book Award - Awarded every year. The only national book award judged by teachers, and shadowed by student teachers. Chair - Lynda Graham

    Iris & Isaac by Catherine Rayner
    3-6 years category
    Published by Little Tiger Press

    Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis
    7-11 years category
    Published by Oxford University Press

    A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
    12- 16 years category,
    Illustrated by Jim Kay, published by Walker Books

    UKLA/Wiley-Blackwell Research in Literacy Education Awards - Awarded every year.
    Shortlists drawn up by panel convened by editors of JRR (Clare Wood) and Literacy (Cathy Burnett and Julia Davies). Panel chaired by Jackie Marsh.

    Journal of Research in Reading (JRR)
    Melby-Lervåg, M., Lervåg, A. (2011) Cross-linguistic transfer of oral language, decoding, phonological awareness and reading comprehension: a meta-analysis of the correlational evidence.
    Journal of Research in Reading. Vol 34:1 pp.114-135

    Literacy
    Moss.G., (2011) Policy and the search for explanations for the gender gap in literacy attainment.
    Literacy. Vol 45:3 pp.111-118

    UKLA Academic Book Award - Awarded every two years

    2011 Winner: Margaret Mallett
    Choosing and using fiction and Non-Fiction 3-11

    UKLA Literacy School of the Year: A school where literacy thrives- This is a new award

    Frederick Bird School, Coventry

    John Downing Award - Awarded every two years. Awarded to inspirational, creative teachers of literacy.

    2011 Winner Jo Scott
    Rowley Lane Junior
    Infant and Nursery School, Huddersfield

    New Zealand Awards

    New Zealand Literacy Association Honour Council Awards

    Auckland
    Manawatu
    Otago
    Waikato
    Hawkes Bay

    New Zealand Literacy Association Marie Clay Literacy Trust International Literacy Conference Travel Award

    Jane Carroll, Otago Reading Association
    Awarded for travel to Spain for the International Workshop on Reading and Developmental Dyslexia

    International Reading Association Award for Innovative Reading Promotion in Europe

    Yvonne Mullan, Reading Association of Ireland (RAI)
    An Intervention to Improve the Literacy Skills of Deaf Children

    ira 2013 international awards

    For more information on awards and grants, visit the IRA awards webpage.

     

    At the IRA 58th Annual Convention in April 2013 in San Antonio, Texas, we gathered to celebrate our members from around the world. The following members and international affiliates were recognized for their service to the field of literacy. ...Read More
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    IRA Literacy Research Panel Responds to NCTQ Teacher Education Report

     | Jul 08, 2013


    P. David Pearson,
    University of California,
    Berkeley, and Virginia
    Goatley, University of
    Albany, authored the
    LRP response


    In its July 2, 2013 blog post, the IRA Literacy Research Panel responds to the June 17, 2013 release of the controversial Teacher Prep Review by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). Noting the methodological and conceptual flaws in the NCTQ report, as well as issues raised by NCTQ’s own Audit Committee, the IRA Literacy Research Panel asserts that the report “should never have seen the light of day.” However, the panel emphasized that NCTQ’s flawed methodology was not the focus of its own response.

    Instead, the Literacy Research Panel stated that its purpose in commenting is “to look forward to what we can do as a profession, and as a nation, to improve teacher education.” Whether NCTQ could ever be joined in a common agenda, averred the panel, would necessarily depend on NCTQ’s willingness to reconsider its methodology and to expand the set of criteria and standards that it applies to teacher education program evaluation.

    The panel’s response goes on to enumerate three distinct issues occasioned by the disconnect between the standards and methods of NCTQ and what literacy professionals know is effective for teacher education.

    Standards of Accountability for Teacher Educators

    With respect to the appropriate standards of accountability for teacher educators, the panel notes that NCTQ uses 17 standards to assess the quality of teacher education programs. Yet despite this apparent amplitude, there are conspicuous omissions of critical factors from the NCTQ perspective. The panel catalogues this deficit in detail, observing the NCTQ benchmark omits anything to do with speaking, listening, or writing, the role of text in discipline-based learning, diversity, instructional groups, motivation and engagement, and metacognition.

    According to the panel, NCTQ adds to the confusion by not making clear how certain of its own standards apply to which programs, primary or secondary.  Moreover, the panel zeroes in on NCTQ’s use of the so-called “five pillars” in the report of the National Reading Panel (NRP) as a standard for ranking teacher prep schools. While acknowledging that these topics are critical, the Literacy Research Panel notes that the five pillars are, in themselves, “by no means sufficient.” Indeed, the panel cites language from the NRP itself for the proposition that the five pillars are not exhaustive of what prospective teachers need to learn.

    Stakeholders in Improving Teacher Education

    The Literacy Research panel also takes issue with the tacit assumption of the Teacher Prep Review that, until publication of this report, no one else connected with teacher education research and development “was concerned enough about the quality of teacher education to worry about its improvement.” Nor, as the panel observes, is there “any attempt to review the knowledge base in teacher education.” The panel summarizes well known resources and databases that the NCTQ vetting team might have consulted, but did not do so.

    This deficit is especially puzzling with respect to IRA itself. As the panel makes clear, “IRA has a long history of providing leadership in teacher education, with multiple efforts in the last decade.” Examples cited by the panel include: IRA Standards for Reading Professionals – Revised 2010; IRA Involvement with Teacher Education AccreditationPosition Papers, and Research Reports; Prepared to Make a Difference (2003); and IRA Certification of Distinction for the Reading Preparation of Elementary and Secondary Teachers. These resources cover many of the substantive program standards espoused in the NCTQ report.

    Common Goals for Improvement of Teacher Education

    The Literacy Research Panel also takes strong exception to NCTQ’s privileging of training over preparation in the education of prospective teachers, valuing generalized technical skill over situated and highly contextualized knowledge.  As the panel states, “implicit in this choice is the assumption that teaching is more a trade than a profession.” With this proposition the panel could not disagree more, explaining the difference as follows: “For the trainer, the knowledge is a recipe or routine to be enacted faithfully; for the educator, it is significant information that guides practice in concert with multiple related pieces of research-based knowledge.”

    In concluding its response, the panel challenges NCTQ’s bona fides as a stakeholder in the cause of improving education, urging NCTQ to reject “the current strategy of trying to shame programs into compliance by subjecting their practices to an unprofessional evaluation and holding superficial records up to public ridicule.” The best path forward, the panel opines, would be for NCTQ “to join those of us who have labored in the field for decades to promote improvement through research, researched-based practice, and exemplary programs.”

    P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley, and Virginia Goatley, University of Albany, authored the response, with contributions from Karen Wixson, University of North Carolina, Greensboro; Peter Afflerbach, University of Maryland; Gloria Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Catherine Snow, Harvard Graduate School of Education; and William Teale, University of Illinois, Chicago.

     

    P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley, and Virginia Goatley, University of Albany, authored the LRP response In its July 2, 2013 blog post, the IRA Literacy Research Panel responds to the June 17, 2013 release of the...Read More
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    IRA and American Reading Company Present Common Core Seminar with Stephen G. Peters

     | Jun 25, 2013

    The International Reading Association recently teamed with the American Reading Company to host noted author and educator Stephen G. Peters in a seminar for school administrators in Newark, Delaware.

    American Reading Company (ARC) Senior Policy Advisor Quality Quinn welcomed the group of teachers, principals, and superintendents from regional school districts to the University of Delaware John M. Clayton Conference Center, noting that she was “thrilled to bring IRA, ARC, and Stephen Peters from The Peters Group together for this professional development event.” She also introduced Jesse Hileman, who is the ARC contact for the Philadelphia/Delaware region.

    IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post followed by praising the notable education researchers selected for ARC’s academic advisory board, including Stephen Peters, Richard Allington, Pedro Noguera, Alma Flor Ada, and Isabelle Campoy. She continued to explain the importance of practical, researched-based professional development for school administrators and teachers.


    IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post

    Stephen G. Peters

    Over his 32 years in education, Stephen G. Peters has been a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of secondary education. Most of his experiences have been in schools that made significant growth in short periods of time thus, resulting in both National and State Blue-Ribbon distinction. Stephen is founder of the nationally recognized Gentlemen’s & Ladies Club programs, which provide options for thousands of at-risk and honor students throughout the United States. He has appeared on Oprah, has presented at dozens of conferences, and has met with countless school districts. Stephen and The Peters Group have recently partnered with American Reading Company (ARC) to reach as many educators as possible.

    “Stephen Peters’ unrelenting determination to transform school cultures is inspiring. We are grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with Stephen and our district partners to establish the necessary conditions for transformational programs that achieve measured results,” ARC Founder and CEO Jane Hileman said in a statement announcing the partnership.

    A charismatic speaker with a wealth of practical advice learned in the field, Peters is the author of Do You Know Enough About Me To Teach Me? (The Peters Group, 2006). The book focuses on the differences between children’s lives today and when their teachers were in school and what schools can do to help them learn. His mottos “Do Something” and “No Child Left Out” are calls to change school culture so that all students rise to higher expectations.

    “We are no longer raising children; we are raising young adults. And our children are confused,” he pointed out. His data showed that main influences on children changed from parents and school in the 1950s to peers and TV/media in the 2000s.


    Stephen Peters

    What Schools Can Do

    Peters attributes much of his success, along with the 172 college offers he received due to his basketball prowess and his high GPA, to the support he received from his teachers, school leadership, and family as a young person.

    “My teacher thought I was smarter than I was, so I was,” he noted. “No one rises to low expectations.”

    His goal is to help school administrators change school culture by improving the conditions of their school environment. He helps them create “Challenge to Achieve” plans that are three goals on two pages—much shorter than many current plans schools have developed. His plans are based on three steps: 1. Capture (find out who the children are), 2. Inspire (dress for success, obtain community support, build relationships, model good behavior), and 3. Teach.

    Andrea Givens

    Dr. Andrea Givens supported Peters’ points with recent research in the field of literacy education and an overview of American Reading Company’s services for educators.

    “Common Core isn’t going anywhere,” she said, indicating that the Standards are here to stay amidst some states’ recent resistance to adopting them. She explained that the CCSS identifies three shifts in literacy education: 1. Nonfiction texts, 2. Evidence from texts (both literacy and informational texts), and 3. Complex texts with academic language.

    She quoted David Coleman, who said that a student needs to learn to “read like a detective [and] write like an investigative reporter.”

    Givens discussed Response Through Intervention (RTI) in depth, explaining that research shows that if teachers and administrators work to strengthen instruction for Tier 1, then Tiers 2 and 3 succeed more. Givens is one of the experts who supports American Reading Association teaching tools by visiting schools across the country to conduct professional development for staff and hands-on training in classrooms. She has been across the country showing instructors how to use ARC’s many products, including the Independent Reading Level Assessment Framework (IRLA) reading system, which corresponds to the Standards.

    Overall, her main point was that “teachers need to model, model, model so [their students] can follow, follow, follow.”


    Andrea Givens

    Partnering for Literacy

    Peters stated that he was proud to “partner with ARC and lend his voice to IRA.”

    “All highly successful people are avid readers,” he said. “Reading is a life-changer, a game-changer.”

     

    The International Reading Association recently teamed with the American Reading Company to host noted author and educator Stephen G. Peters in a seminar for school administrators in Newark, Delaware. American Reading Company (ARC) Senior...Read More
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