Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students (Maximize secondary literacy with evidence-based practices.) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798893740653

Publisher: Solution Tree Press, 2026

Synopsis

Coauthor and editor Jeanne A. Schopf brings together leading literacy experts to address one of secondary education’s most significant gaps: teaching adolescents to read. Grounded in literacy research and implementation science, this book guides middle and high school educators through systems, leadership, MTSS, and evidence-based instructional practices that transform literacy development for struggling readers, including multilingual learners, across all content areas.

Grades 6–12 teachers, leaders, and instructional coaches can use this book to:

• Implement multitiered systems of support to teach literacy actively across all disciplines in secondary education
• Encourage teachers and train them in effective literacy instruction through peer coaching
• Adopt new strategies to improve student reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary
• Reinforce students’ literacy training through reflective writing and class discussions
• Adapt practices as needed to address unique needs and support multilingual learners

Contents:
Introduction
Part 1: Where Are We, and Where Do We Go?
Chapter 1: The Barriers to Strong Literacy Outcomes in Secondary Schools—Breaking Down the Myths
Chapter 2: The Science of Reading and Implementation Science
Part 2: The Foundation of Literacy Transformation
Chapter 3: Secondary Literacy Leadership—Actions and Character Above Title and Role
Chapter 4: Multitiered Systems of Support to Center Adolescent Literacy
Chapter 5: Student-Focused Coaching to Support Literacy Learning
Part 3: Literacy Research to Practice
Chapter 6: Accuracy, Rate, and Expression—Fluency for All Students
Chapter 7: Construction of Meaning—Building Text Understanding Layer by Layer
Chapter 8: Comprehension—The Acquisition of Content-Area and Disciplinary Literacy Skills
Chapter 9: Word-Rich Classrooms—Practices for Intentional Vocabulary Instruction
Chapter 10: Scaffolds for All Learners in Grade- and Course-Level Texts
Chapter 11: POWERful Writing Instruction for Secondary Students
Chapter 12: Oral Language—Speaking and Listening in the Secondary Classroom
Chapter 13: Foundational Skills for Adolescent Newcomer English Learners

About this title

About the Author

Jeanne A. Schopf, MEd, NBCT, C-SLDI, is an independent literacy consultant, national presenter, and structured literacy trainer with over 30 years of experience in education. A former classroom teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach, Jeanne has worked across K–12 settings to improve reading outcomes for all students, with a particular focus on secondary literacy. Her work is grounded in the science of reading, structured literacy, and multitiered systems of support, with an emphasis on evidence-based instruction and sustainable schoolwide change.
Jeanne is the founder of Pathways Towards Literacy, a professional learning company dedicated to literacy transformation, keynote speaking, and dynamic professional development. She is a certified structured literacy dyslexia interventionist through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction, a certified trainer of trainers in explicit instruction, and a certified John Maxwell speaker, coach, and trainer. Through her work, she supports literacy transformation by helping educators and school leaders build systems and structures and strengthen instruction so that reading outcomes improve for all learners.
A recognized literacy leader in Wisconsin, Jeanne serves on the board of directors for The Reading League Wisconsin, where she supports statewide professional development, webinar series, and book studies. She also leads a statewide science of reading Facebook community, providing coaching and resources to thousands of educators. Jeanne is a frequent national presenter and has delivered keynote addresses and sessions for The Reading League National, the Big Sky Literacy Summit, the Wyoming Department of Education, the New Mexico Public Education Department, the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, and more. Her writing appears in The Reading League Journal, the Lexia blog, and other literacy publications.
She holds a master’s degree in reading education from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. She is a National Board-certified teacher in English language arts-early adolescence and a Trainer of Trainers of Explicit Instruction.
To learn more about Jeanne’s work, visit https://pathwaystowardsliteracy.com or linkedin.com/in/jeanne-schopf-m-ed-nbct-c-sldi-43367696.

Edition details

• Publisher: Solution Tree Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798893740653
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Number of pages: 400
• Editor: Jeanne A. Schopf