Language And Literacy Program
Focus Education: Improving South Carolina Schools
Knowledge Base And Philosophy Of the Language And Literacy Program
In the last 40 years, there has been an explosion of new knowledge about literacy learning and literacy education. We now understand that literacy is tied to social, historical, political, and cultural contexts. Reading, teaching and learning are seen as constructivist events. Learners are seen as inquirers and the learning process is seen as an inquiry process.
The following beliefs form the foundation of all our programs. First, we believe that our students, and all learners (including children), learn through inquiry and social interaction. Therefore, within our programs, students engage in inquiry and learn practices consistent with an inquiry-based orientation. We also believe that reading as a process is not separate from but connected to oral and written language and the cultural contexts in which language is used. Therefore, throughout our programs, students explore relationships among language, thinking, and culture. In addition, we are committed to theory which is practical and practice which is theoretical, and therefore we provide opportunities for our students to participate in and support partnerships with other educational institutions and agencies.