Overcoming the Top 8 Barriers to Adolescent Literacy

Literacy instruction does not end in the elementary grades! It is still very much a need for our adolescent learners - but it can be hard to figure out how best to integrate that with all of the other content area instruction that secondary education demands. Well, if you are looking for ways to break down the barriers of Adolescent Literacy, you are in the right place. Today, we are joined by Roger Howard, one of Ohio's Adolescent Literacy leads and also a consultant at the ESC of NE Ohio. He has a rich history of high school and curriculum leadership, and was named 2011 Met Life Ohio Principal of the Year. In his conversation with SST8 literacy team members, Kim Nagy and Sarah Egan-Reeves, Roger will discuss 8 common barriers to adolescent literacy, along with the research that supports how districts and teachers can make meaningful shifts that will yield noticeable results.

Co-hosts: Kim Nagy, SST8 Urban Literacy Specialist, and Sarah Egan-Reeves, SST8 Educational Consultant

About Our Guest: Roger Howard is an Adolescent Specialist–ODE Literacy Network for State Support Team - Region 3 at the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio. Roger began his career as a residential treatment counselor at Parmadale/St. Anthony before serving 10 years as a teacher and coach at Tallmadge High School. He then dedicated the majority of his career to serving as a building administrator in multiple secondary schools: Tallmadge Middle School, Solon High School, Chagrin Falls High School, Hudson High School, Stow-Munroe Falls High School, and Independence High School. Roger was selected as the 2011 Met Life Ohio High School Principal of the Year and served two terms on the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators Board of Directors. Roger also performed multiple central office responsibilities for six years as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Independence Local Schools.

Additional Resources

Literacy Lessons Learned (article) - Mel Riddile

LIteracy Lessons Learned (webinar, 1 hour) - Mel Riddile

IES Practice Guide: Adolescent Literacy