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1439
Johannes Gutenberg Invented Printing Press
The invention of the printing press was a major development in literacy education. Before this invention, books had to be hand written - making them expensive and hard to come by. Gutenberg's invention of the printing press allowed the production of books to be faster, more affordable, and more precise. This machine transferred text from movable type to paper using ink. The printing press led to literature becoming more prevalent in society. -
Comprehension Based Instruction
Beginning in the 1930's, schools shifted from teaching children just how to read whole words to teaching children how to comprehend the texts they are reading. Phonics dropped off and children were pushed into meaning based instruction. -
Louise Rosenblatt
Louise Rosenblatt is best known for her “reader-response theory” of literature. This theory focuses on the comprehension in a reader reading a text. The reader must actively process information from the text and form connections in their mind. The “reader-response theory” is a way to increase student interaction while reading and ensure children can apply what they have read. -
Kenneth S. Goodman
Kenneth Goodman did extensive research in the world of literacy education. In 1986, he published a book that centers on his "Whole Language Theory". This theory emphasizes students learning literacy by focusing on whole words and their meanings opposed to learning pieces of words. His theory focused on students individual learning instead of a pre-set curriculum. This way of teaching uses student's experiences with an ultimate goal of comprehension. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2002 to assure schools were held accountable for student's successes and weaknesses. It aimed to higher the performance levels of students, putting focus on English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing poverty. The result of this law was standardized tests in reading and math. -
Literacy Based Promotion Act
In 2013, Mississippi passed the "Literacy-Based Promotion Act". This law required all early childhood educators to be taught to teach students to read through research based methods. It focused on curriculum, extra support methods, and teacher training. This is important because it gained popularity and led to multiple other states passing similar laws - South Carolina included.