Bringing Order to the Literacy Development of Black Males

• In Event: Becoming Literate: The Science of Teaching Reading

Abstract

Literacy practices focused on Black boys in U.S. classrooms require serious thought and interrogation if the aim is to move these boys toward advanced levels of reading, writing, and intellectual development. Sorely, Black boys have become subjects of educational and policy experimentation that lead to instructional and curricular shortcomings. In this theoretical paper informed by a 2.5 year research study, I call for a need to bring order to the literacy development of Black boys who are being underserved during literacy instruction by focusing on advanced literacy outcomes and the Black intellectual tradition. Order is needed to counter the random nature of literacy development that results in chaos and disorder as evidenced by reading and writing outcomes of Black boys.

Author

• Alfred W. Tatum, Metropolitan State University of Denver