When it comes to academic success at the collegiate level, there is one skill more than any other that separates the “A” students from the “C” students: the ability to handle complex reading.
The problem is, too many are waiting until they are college freshmen to attempt to learn how to do this. The time to learn it is in high school, and alarmingly, most states do not require complex reading comprehension instruction at the high school level nor do they have any standards for high school reading achievement (according to an Associated Press report of a study from ACT, the nonprofit company that publishes one of the two tests required for college entrance). Instead, reading is considered a subject for elementary school and is rarely taught in later grades.
What makes an article or book complex to read? Complex reading is characterized by an elaborate organization where the messages are often implicit rather than overt. The interaction between ideas or characters may be subtle instead of obvious.
Most of all, the vocabulary is demanding and intricate.
How many college-bound high school students can read complex works? Of the 1.2 million high school seniors who took the ACT in 2005, only 51 percent scored high enough to show they were ready to handle first year college-level reading requirements. This is a concern not only to colleges, but also to employers. In 2009, the number increased only 2% to 53%. Take a look at the breakdown here: CollegeReadinessBenchmarksbySubject
What can be done? These aren’t easy solutions, but the ACT insists that high school reading standards must be revised in core subjects, and struggling readers need to get help earlier in their education. Also, more teachers need to be trained in how to teach reading within their subject matter. That is, a chemistry teacher must also learn to teach reading as it relates to science.
Here’s a link to helping develop strong readers beyond the third grade.
So, what’s the most important factor that enhances GPA, Test Scores, Extracurriculars, How “wonderful” your boy or girl is? READING! Read, read, and read some more!
It is essential that from grades K-12, students work to build strong reading comprehension skills early and often (just like voting… HA!) in order to prepare for a successful college and work career later in life.
