Foregrounding the Disciplines in Secondary Literacy Teaching and Learning: A Call for Change

In this commentary, the author argues for building disciplinary literacy instructional programs, rather than merely encouraging subject matter teachers to employ literacy teaching practices and strategies. Readers might wisely question a focus on disciplinary learning in a time when new media, literacies, and social networking practices are so powerful. The author's argument is that knowledge and skill in the subject matter of the disciplines is essential to young people becoming active participants in a democratic society. Although literacy educators acknowledge the value and power of the knowledge, practices, and texts young people bring to school, it is also critical that we acknowledge the need to expand…