An Analysis of the Ecological Components Within a Text Structure Intervention

• In Event: Critical Issues in Literacy Research 5

Abstract

Elements of the ecological component include teacher knowledge, textbook content, and teacher instructional practices. This study examined teacher text structure knowledge, textbook coverage of text structure related skills, the percentage each skill was covered, and teacher instructional practices. Although text structure interventions may have positive effects on student reading comprehension, analysis shows there are multiple elements of the ecological component that may counter act the benefits of the intervention. First, teachers have a limited knowledge of text structures. Second, textbooks systematically minimize text structure instruction and only cover comprehension skills and strategies sporadically throughout the curriculum. Third, teacher learning of text structures and change in practice was moderated by these ecological factors including textbook scheduled instruction and administrator support.

Authors

• Andrea Lynne Beerwinkle, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Kausalai K. Wijekumar, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Sharon C. Walpole, University of Delaware

• Rachael M. Agius (nee Xuereb), University of Malta