Reading ability influenced by background knowledge from "summary" of The Knowledge Deficit by E. D. Hirsch
The information children bring to the task of reading is more important for the comprehension of written language than the formal decoding skills they learn in school. In other words, if children lack the background knowledge required for understanding a text, their reading ability will be severely limited. Background knowledge is like a decoder ring that unlocks the meaning of written language. Without it, students will struggle to make sense of what they read. Reading comprehension is not just a matter of decoding words on a page; it also involves making connections between the text and one's own knowledge and experiences. When students have a wealth of background knowledge to draw upon, they are better able to understand and interpret what they read. This is why students from more affluent backgrounds tend to perform better on reading comprehension tests than students from less privileged backgrounds. The disparity in reading ability between students of different socioeconomic backgrounds is not due to innate intelligence or reading skills; rather, it is a result of differences in the knowledge and experiences they bring to the task of reading. Students who have been exposed to a wide range of topics and ideas through books, conversations, and experiences are better equipped to comprehend a variety of texts. On the other hand, students who have limited exposure to language-rich environments will struggle to understand texts that assume a certain level of background knowledge. It is important for educators to recognize the crucial role that background knowledge plays in reading comprehension and to take steps to address the knowledge gap between students of different backgrounds. By providing students with a rich and varied curriculum that exposes them to a wide range of topics and ideas, educators can help level the playing field and ensure that all students have the background knowledge they need to succeed in reading and in life.
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