Bridging Literacy and Equity

Bridging Literacy and Equity synthesizes the essential research and practice of social equity literacy teaching in one succinct, user-friendly volume. Chapters identify six key dimensions of social equity teaching that can help teachers see their students’ potential and create conditions that will support their literacy development. Serving students well depends on understanding relationships between race, class, culture, and literacy; the complexity and significance of culture; and the culturally situated nature of literacy. It also requires knowledge of culturally responsive practices, such as collaborating with and learning from caregivers, using cultural referents, enacting critical and transformative literacy practices, and seeing the capacities of English language learners and children who speak African American Language.

Each chapter includes a “Reflection and Inquiry” section, with exercises to help readers relate chapter concepts and issues to their own teaching practices.

Althier M. Lazar is professor of teacher education at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patricia A. Edwards is Distinguished Professor of Language and Literacy in the Department of Teacher Education, a principal investigator, Literacy Achievement Research Center, and a Senior University Outreach Fellow at Michigan State University. She received the 2024 International Literacy Association (ILA) William S. Gray Citation of Merit for outstanding contributions to multiple facets of literacy development, including research, theory, and practice. Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon is associate professor of literacy in the Department of Reading and Language Arts at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

“This will be an invaluable and popular resource for classroom teachers."
—Karen Lowenstein, Educator Preparation Consultant, Colorado Department of Education

“Individuals already involved in the classroom and others preparing to become teachers who are genuinely committed to high quality education for all children will find Bridging Literacy and Equity a welcomed and empowering call to action.”
—From the Foreword by Geneva Gay

Patricia Edwards, Winner, 2019 AERA Scholars of Color Distinguished Career Contribution Award

2024 International Literacy Association (ILA) William S. Gray Citation of Merit for outstanding contributions to multiple facets of literacy development, including research, theory, and practice