The Role of Knowledge in Reading Achievement

The white paper explores the critical role of knowledge in reading achievement, emphasizing that reading is more than decoding—it requires interaction between text and a reader's knowledge. Research highlights the correlation between reading volume and academic performance, with high-achieving students reading significantly more words annually than their peers. Studies also show that subject-specific knowledge can mediate reading comprehension, as demonstrated by students with high knowledge of baseball outperforming peers with stronger reading skills but less knowledge of the topic. The paper differentiates between background knowledge (prior experiences) and building knowledge (intentional learning), stressing the importance of both in fostering reading proficiency. Effective strategies for building knowledge include direct instruction, varied reading materials, and interactive learning experiences. Activating knowledge through pre-reading activities, predictive questioning, and graphic organizers further enhances comprehension. The findings underscore the importance of educators in bridging knowledge gaps and fostering lifelong learning.