Description

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The new standards were written to address the harsh realities for poor performance of American students across all grades levels, k-12. According to NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) data, more than 60% of our students in grades 4, 8, and 12 are not proficient readers and the United States is one of the lowest performing in mathematics. The statistics are even more staggering for our children who live in poverty, students with disabilities and English Language Learners. The new standards have sent a clear message: all students must be engaged deeper learning. This deeper level of understanding and comprehension is communicated through a more sophisticated and independent level of applied literacy skills. In this book, some of our leading educators envision the standards as a vehicle to provide more rigorous instruction and illustrate how teachers are uniquely qualified to determine the most effective methods for developing students' skills and close the achievement gap.

About the Author

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Katherine McKnight, PhD isa recognized expert and sought after speaker in adolescent literacy, inclusive classrooms, Common Core State Standards, and integrating technology in the 21st century classroom. She began her career in education as a high school teacher in Chicago over 25 years ago and is a professor of secondary education at National Louis University. Currently, her work brings her to schools and classrooms all over the United States where she shares proven, practical models and strategies that develop the literacy skills of all students. McKnight has published over 10 books that support teaching and learning strategies that engage all learners in reading and writing for the 21st century. Her titles include the best selling and award winning The Teacher's Big Book of Graphic Organizers, The Second City Guide to Improve in the Classroom, Teaching the Classics in the Inclusive Classroom and Teaching Writing in the Inclusive Classroom. Katherine has also co-authored Methods of Teaching English in the Middle and Secondary Schools (Pearson), a best selling text in English Education and several titles addressing the Common Core State Standards.