Literacy Tutoring Program Perspectives and Understandings

This three-part study investigated the effects of a literacy tutoring program. Study #1 compared two groups of students with literacy difficulties (non-treatment group and program participants) and found that the participants were superior at decoding letter patterns and comprehending story grammar. Concurrently, Study #2 uncovered that the 19 tutors acquired instructional skills as they established a knowledge base in teaching reading and writing, and they affirmed goals to become future teachers. Study #3 tracked 6 teacher candidates (former tutors), into their pre-service year and identified their constructions and beliefs of literacy teaching. Their prior knowledge of literacy instruction appeared untenable once they were immersed in a regular class setting. Disparity provoked some of them to denounce their teacher mentors for not consistently employing individualized literacy strategies. This critical perspective was a demonstration of cognitive dissonance. This manuscript highlights the need for teacher candidates with prefatory instructional experience to engage in cognitive negotiations to assimilate newly acquired pedagogies into existing pedagogies.