This article in the Aug 8 Chronicle of Higher Ed makes the bold proposal that "we need something grander and more comprehensive, something that will lead to a conceptual sea change in the way the nation understands and deals with the issue of academic underpreparation. "I propose that a wealthy foundation or consortium of foundations support with great fanfare a National Center for the Study and Teaching of Basic Skills. Such a center would have a long-term effect on education, social justice, and economic prosperity." Rose continues, something like the Smithsonian Institution or a National Endowment for Basic Studies.

A report from the Brookings Institute that the 14 billion dollar American Graduation Initiative targeting community colleges was dropped from the president's education proposal when it was folded into the health reform initiative last week. Too bad.

An important compilation of articles about contexts, theories, and practices for the teaching of basic writing.

Mike Rose's important and sensitive analysis of the struggles of underprepared students, including his own struggles, is eye-opening and moving.

An important collection of essays on literacy. Includes James Gee, Lisa Delpit, Glynda Hull, and Deborah Brandt among many others.

Bartholomae and Petrosky's important work on the basic writing program at Pitt is an important early text in our field.

This important early (1977) discussion of basic writing made a woke the world up to the concept of teaching basic writing and still provides important insights today. Her work on error analysis is very useful.