Author Interview: Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Did you know? The biggest determinant of reading comprehension is not decoding ability or comprehension skills - it's background knowledge! In this episode, SST8 consultants ask eight questions of author and educational journalist Natalie Wexler. Natalie was the riveting Keynote Speaker at the 2020 Ohio Literacy Academy and her sessions on this topic changed the way SST8 consultants think about background knowledge and vocabulary. Join us as Natalie shares what she has learned through the research, as well as some powerful considerations for district leaders looking to improve literacy outcomes and close equity gaps among learners. SST8 Co-Hosts: Janelle Schuler, Assistant Director; Annette Gross, Regional Early Literacy Specialist; Kim Nagy, Urban Literacy Specialist About Our Guest: Natalie Wexler is an education writer whose articles and essays on education and other topics have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other publications. In 2019, she published The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System - and How to Fix It. She is also the co-author of The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades. Additional Resources Literacy Academy 2020 presentation }https://www.thewritingrevolution.org/ Forbes Magazine article (January 2020): Will Getting Rid Of Admissions Tests Make Selective Schools More Equitable?