STRUGGLING ADOLESCENT READERS

Struggling Adolescent Readers

Struggling Adolescent Readers

Introduction

Academic success is a matter of capacity and motivation. Hence, a better understanding of the sources of academic motivation, indicators to measure the variables associated with it can adopt more targeted intervention strategies to promote it. There are various reasons for adolescents struggle with the literacy; for example, one could be the language problem as it might be possible that English could not be their first language. Other could be that they may have learning disabilities. It is a fact that emphasis is placed on reading as it is thought that reading could overcome the problem but unfortunately, it is not the cure for them instead it leans towards worst condition as students get older and older. The important area that needs to be addressed is that a child needs literacy instruction that directly concentrate on the difficulties and challenges they are facing, by using the principles and research- based methods in order to increase their chances of succeeding in both paths during school and afterwards.

Literacy

Literacy has different connotations depending on context. In school settings, it may refer to how well students decode and interpret text. From a political perspective, national and state legislation requires that all students be tested to demonstrate achievement for all children, and considerable funding has been allocated to provide instruction and materials to improve student achievement as measured by standardized tests. From an economic perspective, employers are calling for graduates who can enter the workforce as literate workers. Regardless of the context, universal literacy is widely accepted as a goal, and considerable resources are expended to support the attainment of that goal. (Federal, 2009).

Research shows that from decades attempts are made to get improvement in student's literacy on national level, focus was on elementary instruction mainly on early literacy. An example could be that the Reading Next report plan was to improve and develop literacy on primary levels. However, International reading Association and National Reading Conference has made some researches that focus on instructional issues to adolescent readers and mainly the adolescents who are having serious concern reading (Catts, 2005).

Thus, another factor that could improve the problem is “Motivation”. It is a concept emerged in the fifties. It emerges at the same time as that of cognition. It is a multi-factorial phenomenon in the field the school promotes a movement. Two levels of definition proposed by F. Fenouillet:

“The motivation intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, the limits mentioned is instrumentalization of behavior toward extrinsic motivation and the realization that motivation intrinsic motivation has no immediate impact on performance in the activity”.

As for evaluating the importance of the effects, induced resignation was strongly emphasized. Among the various issues raised during the national debate about the school in 2004, the one gave preference to different local working groups was: "How to effectively motivate students? Note in the introduction that the question of motivation in school arises particularly crucial in an academy like the one in which absenteeism, dropping out ...