If you haven’t listened to or read the latest APM Report from Emily Hanford, this is really a must. A multifaceted look at the importance of oral language, background knowledge, and effective instruction for reading comprehension, Hanford’s report sheds light on the cruel intersections and interactions between race, family income, poverty, and educational failure.
Opening this documentary, Hanford creates a vivid picture of the mix of bleakness and hope for young people in youth justice, who are trying to get an education even at this late stage. This episode resonated strongly with me, as it is the setting of my previous research and current work.
The families of the young people in prison share their experiences of always knowing there was something wrong with their child’s learning, but getting nowhere. Hanford shares multiple stories of families trying to advocate for their children, but never getting the help they needed—not until they reached the justice system. In prison, of all places, remedial support for reading can be finally provided.
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration