Adolescent Literacy Support Project (ALSP)
Supporting the connection between reading ability and science learning in high school

The aim of the Adolescent Literacy Support Project (ALSP) is to create classroom learning environments that support increased science achievement through better and more purposeful reading. We are building and employing three literacy support tools for teachers and students to use in science classrooms. Teachers couple their use of the tools with disciplinary text and science assessment as they implement Investigations in Environmental Science. We support teachers through professional development sessions designed to strengthen science instruction through reading.

ALSP tools include:

• Annotated text and text annotation functions to highlight and code topics like main idea, supporting ideas, vocabulary, and conclusions
• Double-entry journals that provide a graphic structure for students to monitor and document their understanding of science texts
• Summary Street to support students in summarizing key concepts by providing instant feedback on their writing

Problems of Practice
High school students are often ill-equipped to grapple with the reading in content-area classes, such as science. They also hampered by difficult-to-read disciplinary text. Most science teachers lack the reading expertise needed to guide students through science texts. Finding time to teach reading strategies is also an issue for teachers.

Value Added
ALSP adds value to the work both of teachers and students. It structures the reading of science text for students and helps teachers connect reading activities to science content.