Understanding and Testing Disciplinary Literacy

• In Event: 35.083 - Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: 35.083-1 - Reading Comprehension and Assessment

Abstract

This study explored the emerging construct of disciplinary literacy, which has been popularized by the advent of the Common Core State Standards (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010). We reviewed the literature on disciplinary literacy, developed and administered a survey focusing on the four core disciplines of English/Language Arts (ELA), Science, History & Social Studies, and Mathematics, and analyzed the results for construct validity and differences among the disciplines. Through exploratory methods three types of disciplinary literacies surfaced: source literacy, analytic literacy, and language literacy. These results indicate that literacy does not limit itself to the ELA classroom. Rather different types of literacies are needed in different types of classrooms.

Authors

• Hiller A. Spires, North Carolina State University

• Isaac Benjamin Thompson, North Carolina State University

• Shea N. Kerkhoff, North Carolina State University

• Abbey C.K. Graham, Academy School District 20

• John K. Lee, North Carolina State University