Research about Secondary Literacy

Why Secondary Literacy Needs a Fresh Look

By grades 6–12, literacy instruction becomes more complex. Older students must read to learn—not merely learn to read—and they are expected to apply literacy skills across every discipline. Yet national data consistently shows persistent gaps in reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and equitable access to grade-level work.

The resources below shed light on five essential dimensions of adolescent literacy:

The strengths multilingual learners bring
The foundational skills older students still need
The importance of fluency beyond elementary grades
The reality of unfinished learning and access to quality instruction
What systems can do to deliver grade-level opportunities consistently

Together, they create a roadmap for supporting all learners in secondary classrooms.

The Multilingual Advantage

Link: The Multilingual Advantage

Multilingual learners (MLLs) are often framed through a deficit lens—yet research shows the opposite is true. Students who speak multiple languages bring cognitive, cultural, and analytical strengths that can accelerate literacy when instruction leverages what they already know.

This resource highlights:

The cognitive boost multilingualism provides
How linguistic knowledge transfers across languages
Strategies for building on students’ home languages rather than replacing them

Understanding the multilingual advantage reframes adolescent literacy as an asset-driven endeavor. Instead of remediation, the goal becomes recognizing and expanding the linguistic resources students already have.

Foundational Reading and Linguistics (for Secondary Educators)

Link: ThinkCERCA’s Foundational Reading and Linguistics

Many secondary teachers inherit students who can decode but struggle with multisyllabic words, complex syntax, or academic vocabulary. Foundational skills don’t simply “end” in elementary school—they evolve.

This resource explains:

Why older students still need explicit instruction in morphology, orthography, and syntax
How linguistic instruction supports comprehension in content-area texts
Strategies for integrating foundational skills into secondary classrooms without reverting to elementary-level instruction

When adolescent readers hit a wall, it's often because of gaps in linguistic knowledge, not motivation. Strengthening these skills helps students access grade-level content independently.

Fluency for Adolescents

Link: Fluency

Fluency is not just about reading quickly or smoothly—it’s about cognitive space. When students read with automaticity, their working memory is freed to make inferences, evaluate claims, and synthesize information.

This article emphasizes:

Why fluency correlates strongly with comprehension in grades 6–12
How prosody supports comprehension of complex texts
What fluency practice looks like for adolescent readers

For many older students, fluency is the hidden bottleneck. Addressing it can immediately improve comprehension across subjects.

The Opportunity Myth

Link: The Opportunity Myth

TNTP’s landmark report reveals one of the most pervasive issues in secondary literacy: students want to succeed and work hard, but many never receive consistent access to grade-level assignments.

Key takeaways:

Students spend much of their day on work far below grade level
Completing low-level tasks creates the illusion of success but leads to long-term skill gaps
High expectations, strong instruction, and meaningful relationships significantly predict student outcomes

This research reinforces that literacy progress isn’t just about skills—it's equally about opportunity.

The Opportunity Makers

Link: The Opportunity Makers

As a follow-up to The Opportunity Myth, this publication highlights educators and school systems that have successfully changed conditions for students by prioritizing access to rigorous content.

It illustrates:

Real examples of schools shifting mindsets around student capability
Practices that create sustainable, equitable access to challenging literacy work
Leadership strategies that empower teachers to deliver grade-level instruction

Where The Opportunity Myth describes the problem, The Opportunity Makers showcases the solutions.