Reading Isn't Optional

Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students (Maximize secondary literacy with evidence-based practices.)

Jeanne A. Schopf

• Publisher: Solution Tree Press
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9798893740660
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

Coauthor and editor Jeanne A. Schopf brings together leading literacy experts to address one of secondary education's most significant gaps: teaching adolescents to read. Grounded in literacy research and implementation science, this book guides middle and high school educators through systems, leadership, MTSS, and evidence-based instructional practices that transform literacy development for struggling readers, including multilingual learners, across all content areas.

Grades 6–12 teachers, leaders, and instructional coaches can use this book to:

• Implement multitiered systems of support to teach literacy actively across all disciplines in secondary education
• Encourage teachers and train them in effective literacy instruction through peer coaching
• Adopt new strategies to improve student reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary
• Reinforce students' literacy training through reflective writing and class discussions
• Adapt practices as needed to address unique needs and support multilingual learners

Contents:
Introduction
Part 1: Where Are We, and Where Do We Go?
Chapter 1: The Barriers to Strong Literacy Outcomes in Secondary Schools—Breaking Down the Myths
Chapter 2: The Science of Reading and Implementation Science
Part 2: The Foundation of Literacy Transformation
Chapter 3: Secondary Literacy Leadership—Actions and Character Above Title and Role
Chapter 4: Multitiered Systems of Support to Center Adolescent Literacy
Chapter 5: Student-Focused Coaching to Support Literacy Learning
Part 3: Literacy Research to Practice
Chapter 6: Accuracy, Rate, and Expression—Fluency for All Students
Chapter 7: Construction of Meaning—Building Text Understanding Layer by Layer
Chapter 8: Comprehension—The Acquisition of Content-Area and Disciplinary Literacy Skills
Chapter 9: Word-Rich Classrooms—Practices for Intentional Vocabulary Instruction
Chapter 10: Scaffolds for All Learners in Grade- and Course-Level Texts
Chapter 11: POWERful Writing Instruction for Secondary Students
Chapter 12: Oral Language—Speaking and Listening in the Secondary Classroom
Chapter 13: Foundational Skills for Adolescent Newcomer English Learners

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Table of Contents
• About the Editor
• Foreword: A Chronic National Concern: Adolescents Who Can’t Read
• Introduction
• Part 1: Where Are We, And Where Do We Go?
• Part 2: The Foundation of Literacy Transformation
• Part 3: Literacy Research to Practice
• Index