Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's National Symposium Provides Educators With Insights on Differentiated Instruction

How do you teach all students to excel at reading when so many come to class with different levels of ability? Reading experts from around the country recently answered that question at a recent professional development symposium for educators sponsored by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, a leading pre-K through Grade 6 publisher of print and technology-based materials.

At the event, educators received advice on the most effective ways to provide differentiated instruction - a flexible approach in which the teacher varies instructional methods and content in response to a student's individual reading readiness, interests and learning styles. Experts recommended using students as "teachers" to maximize the use of instruction time, tapping new sources for multicultural materials, setting up the classroom to facilitate more effective instruction, placing greater emphasis on oral language skills for English Language Learners and much more.

Underscoring the importance of differentiated instruction, keynote speaker Yolanda King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s daughter, addressed the importance of embracing diversity in America's schools.

Commenting on the keys to successful reading instruction for all, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, one of the event's guest speakers, explained, "To drive reading achievement, schools and districts must provide the guidance and support to ensure effective reading instruction for all students, set high performance goals, use validated teaching strategies and materials, and continuously evaluate performance." Hasbrouck is a college professor, educational consultant, author and former executive director of the Washington State Reading Initiative, a statewide effort to improve reading achievement for all students, with a special emphasis on students who are struggling with reading.

Dr. Tim Shanahan, president of the International Reading Association (IRA) and a professor of urban education at the University of Illinois, was another guest speaker. During his presentation, he commented, "Children have different experiences and opportunities, so they come to class at different levels of proficiency and learn at different rates, and teachers must adjust their teaching strategies. To make differentiated instruction more effective, teachers and administrators must fully understand classroom curriculum and incorporate data from the tools that monitor student progress."

In addition to Hasbrouck and Shanahan, the following nationally recognized reading experts led the professional development sessions:

  - Dr. Vicki Gibson has been teaching students, training teachers, and
    writing curriculum since 1975. She is the owner and director of Longmire
    Learning Center, a private educational facility, and co-owner of What
    Works With Kids publishing company.
  - Dr. Jan Dole is associate professor in the Department of Teaching and
    Learning at the University of Utah. A widely published researcher, she
    focuses on comprehension instruction, professional development, and
    school reform in reading.
  - Dr. Donald Bear, co-author of Words Their Way, is director of the E.L.
    Cord Foundation Center for Learning and Literacy and a professor in the
    Department of Educational Specialties at the University of Nevada, Reno.
  - Dr. Josie Tinajero is the dean of the College of Education at the
    University of Texas at El Paso.  A leading scholar on diversity in
    education, she serves on the board of directors for the American
    Association of College for Teacher Education and the National
    Association for Bilingual Education.
  - Dr. Doris Walker-Dalhouse is an educational consultant, researcher, and
    professor at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She is a past member
    of the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association,
    2000-2003.
  - Dr. Deborah Catri is a recognized master teacher, professional
    development consultant, researcher and grant proposal writer who has
    generated $50 million in educational funding over the past 17 years.

"The topic of differentiated instruction was very informative and timely, and I enjoyed the variety of sessions as well as the opportunity to engage in discussion with the presenters and participants," said Susan Sulzman of the Lansing School District in Michigan who attended the symposium. "I am returning to my district with a wealth of information."

"Macmillan/McGraw-Hill continues to partner with educators nationwide to provide high-level professional development opportunities," said Sari Factor, president of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. "At this symposium, educators heard the latest research on differentiated instruction, learned from each other about successful efforts in different districts, and interacted with renowned reading experts. Participants made the connections and received the information that will give them added resources as they work to meet the needs of students in their own school districts."

In addition to partnering with school districts to provide high-quality professional development opportunities, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill offers multiple elementary reading programs such as Treasures, Treasure Chest and Triumphs - programs that include strong differentiated instruction components. Many of the symposium's experts are co-authors of these programs.

About Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill is a leading pre-K through Grade 6 publisher of print and technology-based materials that help teach every child in today's classrooms. It is unit of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower the success of professionals and students of all ages. It is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

SOURCE: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: April Hattori
McGraw-Hill Education
(212) 904-2078
april_hattori@mcgraw-hill.com
Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
(212) 904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/