Focus on Struggling Learners:
IRA Programs and Resources

The reasons some children struggle with learning to read and write are as varied as the children themselves. No single approach will meet the needs of all who have difficulty.

We offer many resources to assist educators in meeting the challenge of helping all learners succeed. Follow the links below to find information, or use advanced search and select “Struggling learners” under the Topic heading to identify even more resources.

Meetings and events

IRA’s annual convention always includes numerous sessions on working with struggling learners. The following sessions appeared on the program for the 2007 convention.

Institute 9: “Developing Struggling Students’ Higher-Level Reading and Writing Skills and Strategies,” Thomas Gunning et al., presenters

Institute 14: “Using Alternative Text Types to Develop Critical Thinking and Engagement for ‘Struggling’ Adolescent Learners,” William Dee Nichols et al., presenters

Session: “Engaging the Disengaged: Using Book Clubs to Motivate Struggling Adolescent Readers,” Heather Kenyon Casey, presenter

Microworkshop: “Authentic Literacy Engagements: Responding to the Needs of Struggling Learners,” Jane Baskwill et al., presenters

Session: “Making the Most of Your Time With Struggling Readers Who Are Also English Language Learners,” Pat Johnson, presenter

Symposium: “Breaking Down the Boundaries for Struggling Adolescent Readers,” Sharon Pitcher et al., presenters

Session: “Taking the Threat out of Reading: Emotional Scaffolding for Struggling Beginning Readers,” Carol Kirk, presenter

Other IRA meetings, including the biennial world congress and annual state/provincial and regional conferences, routinely include sessions on struggling and striving readers and writers.