Research Statement

I would like to research issues regarding the teaching of critical reading of literature in classes. I believe that in many schools, this important skill is downplayed or completely overlooked in favor of emphasizing any standardized tests. Students are being taught one interpretation of literary works instead of being taught how to interpret those works on their own. Because of this, basic reading skills, comprehension skills, and close readings skills are being overlooked in many cases. The book Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher outlines this issue well, explaining with data the difference that reading skills have for students’ futures. I want to investigate this situation further in order to prepare me to more effectively teach my students.