This book addresses critical issues related to pre-adolescent and adolescent literacy learners with a focus on closing the achievement gap. Despite efforts by educators and policymakers during the past several decades, certain groups of students--primarily African American students, English language learners, and students from low-income homes--continue to underperform on commonly used measures of academic achievement. Too often, teachers and administrators lack both proper preparation and good ideas to confront these issues.

• Part I of this volume contains essential background information about specific populations of learners who are not achieving as well as expected.
• Part II provides descriptions of promising programs that are authored and co-authored by practitioners and researchers working collaboratively.
• The result is a valuable resource for those involved in teaching and setting policy for literacy education in grades 4 through 12.