S4E12: Jan Hasbrouck on Reading Fluency and Direct Instruction
Dec 1, 2024
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Jan Hasbrouck, a prominent literacy researcher and author, dives into the world of reading instruction and fluency. She shares her journey from traditional teaching methods to direct instruction, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies, especially for dyslexic learners. Hasbrouck highlights the critical link between reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, unveiling evidence-based techniques like the AAA method. Looking forward, she envisions a future where professional development embraces online coaching, shaping how teachers apply reading science in classrooms.
Jan Hasbrouck emphasizes that effective teaching requires a balance between art and science, necessitating continual adaptation to evidence-based methods.
The development of Hasbrouck and Tyndall norms for oral reading fluency provides educators with crucial data to assess and enhance student reading performance.
Deep dives
The Journey to Direct Instruction
The speaker shares their journey into education and how they discovered the direct instruction method through their experiences at the University of Oregon. Initially frustrated with their teacher preparation program, they encountered a classmate effectively using direct instruction techniques, which led them to seek out Zig Engelman, a pioneer in this teaching approach. The speaker describes how they were recruited to participate in a hands-on learning experience, teaching in classrooms and taking courses on direct instruction. This foundational training under Engelman profoundly shaped their understanding of effective teaching methods.
The Essential Role of Teachers
During a recent keynote speech, the speaker emphasized the critical role teachers play in the educational process and how their influence can shape student learning. They discussed the importance of explicit instruction and how teaching is both an art and a science that requires continual adaptation based on the evolving understanding of the science of reading. The speaker acknowledged how educators must let go of outdated practices when new, evidence-based methods emerge. They recounted personal experiences with influential teachers, illustrating that honoring and empowering educators is vital for effective teaching and learning.
Evolving Perspectives on Reading Fluency
The discussion highlights the significance of reading fluency, identifying it as a crucial predictor of comprehension in reading. The speakers outline effective strategies to teach fluency, emphasizing the importance of starting with accuracy before progressing to automaticity and comprehension. They present the mnemonic 'triple A' – accuracy, automaticity, and accessing meaning – as a framework for developing fluent readers throughout their learning journey. This structured approach ensures that students not only read fluently but also comprehend what they are reading, ultimately enhancing their overall learning experience.
Contributions to Reading Assessment Norms
The speaker discusses the development of the Hasbrook and Tyndall norms for oral reading fluency, emphasizing its importance in providing a national standard for assessing reading ability. They recount the process of collecting a vast amount of data to create these norms, which are utilized globally in classrooms to evaluate students' fluency at different grade levels. The norms include percentile rankings, helping educators identify where their students stand compared to national averages. By providing a clear method for assessing reading performance, these norms inform instructional decisions and help target interventions for students in need.
Welcome back to Progressively Incorrect. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I am excited to bring you an interview with Jan Hasbrouck, the keynote speaker at NIFDI’s 2025 National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. Dr. Hasbrouck is a renowned researcher and author with a distinguished career dedicated to improving literacy and educational outcomes. Dr. … Continue reading S4E12: Jan Hasbrouck on Reading Fluency and Direct Instruction
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