Module 1: Text and Article Comparison

I believe much of what the book stated and what the article stated are closely related. The book has a heavy emphasis on helping readers who are struggling. However, the book states it is simply not enough to identify a struggling reader. Teachers must be able to determine why the reader is struggling and what can be done to help them. The article took the same approach to the struggling school system. They knew in order to be successful they would have to determine why they were struggling and what could continually be done to help fix it.
Both the book and the article have a strong belief that teachers are at the root of helping students. The book states, "Most professional reading organizations, educators and the public at large agree that the teacher is the key to improved instruction" (Optiz, Rubin & Erekson, 2011, p. 19). Moreover, the article states that "teaching effectiveness is measured by whether students learn what we have taught" (Smith, Johnson & Thompson, 2012, p. 57). These statements lead me to believe more than ever, that my role as an educator is so crucial to students' success in my classroom and beyond. Teachers must put forth true effort to make their students the best learners possible.
I did not find many places where the book and article diverged. It was interesting to see in the article, though, what one place in particular had done and the success that was gained. The book does a great job of laying out strategies that I will plan to use in the future. Then, I will be able to see whether or not they are successful for me and my students.

Opitz, Michael F., Dorothy Rubin, and James A. Erekson. Reading Diagnosis and Improvement: Assessment and Instruction. 6th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2011.

Smith, R., Johnson, M., & Thompson, K. D. (2012). Data, our GPS. Educational Leadership, 69(5), 56-59.