LA’s core message is literacy transforms lives. But what does that mean? Recent
discussion and policies concerning literacy instruction suggest that “transforming
lives” consists of advancing literacy achievement so students can attend college
and have successful careers.
These are important goals, but there is an even larger purpose to our
teaching—creating more productive citizens and societies.
Democracy can be defined in many ways, but one necessary element is active
participation in civic life. I contend that through our instruction—both what
and how we teach—we can contribute to the development of a citizenry with the
needed skills and the sense of personal agency for citizen engagement.
By Jill Lewis-Spector
THE LARGER
PURPOSE
Jill Lewis-Spector
(jlewisprof1@yahoo.com)
is the ILA president and a
professor emerita from New
Jersey City University.
Literacy instruction that prepares students to
become productive, engaged citizens
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
6
May/June 2015 | READING TODAY