Socio-Constructivist and Political Views on Teachers' Implementation of Two Types of Reading Comprehension Approaches in Low-Income Schools

Abstract

Researchers have reported that two types of instructional approaches—strategy instruction and high-level talk about text—lead to reading comprehension improvement in elementary-age students. One hypothesis is that both approaches have similar student outcomes because they develop high-level thinking about text. This article examines the literature on the two instructional approaches (cognitive strategy instruction and responsive engagement instruction), presents socio-constructivist views of teaching and learning, and explains what can happen when a socio-constructivist perspective guides teachers' implementation of either approach in low-income schools. The authors discuss three implementation challenges beyond the frameworks of either instructional approach—the impact of district/school initiatives, movement of teachers from teacher-directed to student-directed instruction, and the selection and use of appropriate texts—and how teachers have met such challenges. They conclude with recommendations for improved classroom practice.