Whose Knowledge Counts in Government Literacy Policies?

Why Expertise Matters

Kenneth S Goodman editor Robert C Calfee editor Yetta M Goodman editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:24th Sep '13

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Whose Knowledge Counts in Government Literacy Policies? cover

Accountability, in the form of standardized test scores, is built into many government literacy policies, with severe consequences for schools and districts that fail to meet ever-increasing performance levels. The key question this book addresses is whose knowledge is considered in framing government literacy policies? The intent is to raise awareness of the degree to which expertise is being ignored on a worldwide level and pseudo-science is becoming the basis for literacy policies and laws. The authors, all leading researchers from the U.S., U.K., Scotland, France, and Germany, have a wide range of views but share in common a deep concern about the lack of respect for knowledge among policy makers. Each author comes to the common subject of this volume from the vantage point of his or her major interests, ranging from an exposition of what should be the best knowledge utilized in an aspect of literacy education policy, to how political decisions are impacting literacy policy, to laying out the history of events in their own country. Collectively they offer a critical analysis of the condition of literacy education past and present and suggest alternative courses of action for the future.

"Curriculum and policy are informed by assumptions about what counts as knowledge, grounded in notions of human nature, and affected by determinations about whose knowledge counts in the construction and delivery of knowledge in formal educational settings. The diversity of ideas offered within the book affords the reader a rich opportunity to consider foundational issues of policy and practice. Summing up: Recommended. All readership levels." -J.A. Helfer, Illinois State Board of Education, in CHOICE, August 2014

"Part II explores many important aspects of literacy teaching, including the curriculum, text complexity, the role of children’s literature, diversity in children’s literature and the roles of writing teachers." - Margaret Clark, Newman University - Birmingham, Education Journal

“Finally! A book that offers smart thinking about federal literacy education policies by the professionals who know literacy best…. This book connects the dots between current literacy policies, who is writing those policies, and what ultimately happens when the policies are implemented in school classrooms. These international scholars provide glimpses of parallel events happening around the world, beg us to question why knowledge about literacy research is being ignored, and challenge us to consider who really gains when “science” is valued over knowledge.” - Renita Schmidt, The University of Iowa, USA

"A thorough critique of government literacy policies ... Whose Knowledge Counts not only confirms the need for policy makers to work with literacy experts, but from a larger perspective, it re-emphasizes the need for families, educators, scholars, researchers, and policy makers to work in tandem to bring meaningful change that keeps the focus on the betterment of all human beings." - Teachers College Record

ISBN: 9780415858007

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 453g

238 pages