Riddle Buly wins award for article's influence on literacy policy

Marsha Riddle Buly, a professor of elementary education at Western Washington University, has been awarded the P. David Pearson Scholarly Influence Award from the Literacy Research Association. The award recognizes an article, older than 5 years, that has significantly influenced literacy policy. The award was presented at the 2015 Literacy Research Conference, held from Dec. 2 to 5 in Carlsbad, California.

In the 2002 article, titled "Below the Bar: Profiles of Students Who Fail State Reading Assessments," Riddle Buly and Sheila Valencia from the University of Washington reflect on their finding that "scores on state tests mask distinctive and multifaceted patterns of students' reading abilities that require dramatically different instructional emphases" and go on to explore the implications of that information for teaching and learning reform.

"I am most happy because our work has impacted policy, and that’s so important to me," Riddle Buly said. "The work we do makes a difference to better the instruction and lives of children."