Student Agency in Literacy: Validation of the Student Agency Profile (StAP)

Abstract

There have been recent calls to support student agency in the field of literacy. Agency, which we define in the context of schooling, is a multidimensional construct where individuals exert influence and create opportunities in the learning context through intentions, decisions, and actions. We propose highlighting agency as an interconnected construct, which includes self-perception as readers and writers, intentionality, choice-making, persistence, and interactiveness. Elementary students (n?=?1,726) completed surveys of their agency along with standardized literacy assessments. Statistical analyses largely aligned with the hypothesized dimensions of agency. Relationships to student literacy achievement were stronger in grades 3^rd–5^th than in 1^st–2^nd grades. Discussion highlights how elementary students have a voice in their agency as it pertains to literacy. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.     

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

ABSTRACT

Although printed information on secondary reading has expanded, adequate synthesis across types of publications is lacking. This study suggests and tests the hypothesis that professional textbooks serve a major role in broad synthesis of information for secondary reading. Research results from the bibliometric analysis of five secondary textbooks indicate: (1) no consistent pattern of reference use by authors, (2) wide author variation in the types of publications cited, (3) predominance of monographic over serial, dissertation, report and research literature citation, (4) referencing of older archival rather than more recent sources, (5) relatively few materials cited which appeared within 1 to 4 years of the publication dates of the five texts, and (6) low percentages of citation overlap and minor referral to a common body of literature by the five authors. According to this Investigation, it appears that individual professional texts do not necessarily reflect the extant information base or state‐of‐the‐art in secondary reading. The authors recommend existing information tools be modified to incorporate more effective perpetual literature synthesis or new tools be created by learned societies to fill the information synthesis gap.     

The Altruistic Other Orientation: An Exploration of Female Powerlessness

A construct, the altruistic other orientation (AOO), is introduced and used to examine a life-long attitude of self-sacrifice in women originating in the male-female relationship. Research exploring this construct utilizes the Walstedt Altruistic Other scale and a revision of the Schaefer Parent Attitude Research Instrument on a sample of 106 middle-aged women. The hypothesis that women who do not accept the altruistic other orientation are more likely to be self-supporting in their middle years and attain more academic degrees than those who do was confirmed (p < .001). In addition, father socialization practices were found to be significantly correlated with the daughter's academic achievement, economic independence, and AOO adoption (p < .05 to p < .001).     

Doing what is humanly possible

The subtle docetism which pervades orthodox discussions of the person and work of Christ can serve to vitiate the hope contained in the New Testament message. A reprise of the themes underlying the Christological controversies and modern discussions of the humanity of Christ demonstrates these contain clear implications for the practice of pastoral counseling.     

No longer, not yet: reading history grammatically

I would like to thank the Earhart Foundation and its President, Mr. David Kennedy, for their generous support of my current undertaking. In an historical moment when both time and place for unfettered reflection are under some pressure, it is reassuring to find oneself in contact with liberty's friends.