Effective Reading Education

The alarming decline in reading results of Dutch pupils is forcing Dutch education to reflect (e.g. Meelissen et al., 2023). In primary education, there is a growing conviction that the reading comprehension education of recent decades has focused too much on strategy instruction and has become too detached from other subjects in education (e.g. Bootsma and Naaijkens, 2023). As a result, more and more schools are making the switch to thematic reading education, in which knowledge building and reading skills are linked in broad themes.

Despite thematic reading education being based on proven effective elements from scientific research, little research has been conducted in the Netherlands on the methods and approaches now being implemented under the banner of thematic reading education. A second challenge lies in the implementation of thematic reading education. After all, a switch to thematic reading education is not made overnight and often takes several years. As a result, it can be difficult for schools to decide how to embark on such a cultural shift.

Therefore, two main goals within this project are:

1. 1. Effect research on thematic reading approaches currently being implemented in Dutch education.
   2. Research into the implementation issues involved in thematic reading education and ways to help schools with these implementation issues.

Schools interested in effective reading education can contact our co-creation manager Derk Bransen (d.bransen@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information.

More information about the Ontwikkelkracht program, the possibilities for participation, and applying for subsidies can be found on the website.