Summit K12: The Power of Student Choice Reading Programs

Roni Burren, President of TCTELA, is a self-professed lover of books, children, and justice. She is a longtime K12 educator and current adjunct professor at the University of Houston. She spoke with JW Marshall about her role as president of the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts and its focus on supporting ELA teachers through student choice reading initiatives.

In between year-round brainstorming conferences, the TCTELA recommends books for teaching reading at every level within K-12 classrooms. Supporting student choice in reading is an essential part of this work. Burren said the concepts on student reading have evolved, and telling students, ‘These are the books we’re reading,’ case closed is no longer the best teaching strategy.

“Over time, what people started to see was kids who became livelong readers were kids who were able to choose the books they wanted to read,” Burren said. “They had this steady diet of choice.” Research shows that when students have regular exposure to reading choices, they are more accepting of required reading assignments.

“What we also see with student choice is that students are reading more, and that’s the goal, right?” said Burren. “When students are reading often, they are exercising their reading muscle, and because they are reading what they like, they can get through those more complex texts. And that’s what we want to see,” said Burren.

One common barrier Burren mentioned is hesitancy on the part of teachers to have a classroom library containing books they haven’t read. “Teachers are apprehensive because they think they need to have read all the books in their classroom library to encourage students to read independently, and that’s just not the case,” Burren said.

Teachers don’t need to have read a book to ask students questions about it. A good teacher can tell a fake read from an actual read. “If we ask the right questions, we can assess whether or not students are reading.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

future of healthcare
Leading Through Change: Dr. Kevin Stevenson on Workforce, Innovation, and the Future of Healthcare
October 1, 2025

Healthcare is at a critical turning point, where staffing pressures, shrinking reimbursements, and rising patient expectations are reshaping the future of healthcare. According to the AACN Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet, the federal government projects more than 203,000 new registered nurse positions will be created annually from 2021 to 2031, reflecting high demand from an…

Read More
Non-traditional students
Holistic Support in Higher Ed: Why Non-Traditional Students Need More Than Just Financial Aid
October 1, 2025

Non-traditional students—adult learners, student parents, veterans, and first-generation college-goers—are carrying heavier burdens than ever. Upswing’s 2024 Ana Insights Report found that nearly nine in ten students intended to complete a FAFSA application, while many also sought help with essentials like food, housing, and bill payments. Perhaps most concerning, students expressed declining confidence in higher…

Read More
EAA AirVenture
From Ground to Sky: How Icom Radios Connect Crews, Docks, and Air Traffic at AirVenture 2025
October 1, 2025

Nestled in the shaded quiet of Oshkosh’s Seaplane Base, there exists a side of EAA AirVenture that many attendees never see. Unlike the bustling main grounds, the Seaplane Base operates for just one week each year, transforming from an unused shoreline into a hub of aviation activity. It takes hundreds of volunteers and days…

Read More
Seaplanes
Clear Signals, Safe Waters: Why Icom Radios are Key to Seamless Seaplane Operations at AirVenture 2025
October 1, 2025

At the heart of EAA AirVenture 2025, the Seaplane Base offers a unique glimpse into aviation’s most delicate dance—where water and air meet. Unlike traditional runways, this floating airfield demands a constant balance of precision, coordination, and communication. Here, pilots don’t just rely on their own skill; they depend on an entire team of…

Read More