Faculty Research Profiles: Georgia Earnest Garcia

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Professor

Curriculum & Instruction
396 Education Building
1310 S. 6th St. MC 708
217 333-7048

PI -Comprehension Grant

Curriculum & Instruction
39 Children's Research Center
51 Gerty Dr. MC 671
217 265-7553
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Research Biography

My past research projects have focused on the literacy instruction, assessment, and development of students (preschool-8) from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, with a special interest in bilingual students' reading.

My current research interests include investigating cross-linguistic transfer in bilingual students' reading and writing (Spanish-English speakers and Chinese-English speakers), the literacy engagement and motivation of bilingual students, and the use of new forms of literacy assessments with students from diverse backgrounds. I also am interested in studying how assessment and instructional reform efforts affect the reading instruction and performance of students from diverse backgrounds.

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988
  • M.S., Education, State University of New York, Cortland, 1977
  • A.B., Sociology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, 1968

Key Professional Appointments

  • Professor, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001--
  • Faculty Affiliate, Latina/o Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997--
  • Zero-time appointment, Educational Policy Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993--
  • Associate Professor, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1995-2001
  • Assistant Professor, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1989-1995
  • Senior Research Scientist, Center for the Study of Reading, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988-1994

Activities & Honors

  • University Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003-2006
  • Member, National Literacy Panel on language minority students, Institute of Education Sciences, 2002-2004
  • Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching, Honorable Mention, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2000
  • Member, Reading Study Group on Skillful Reading, RAND, 2000
  • Elected Member, Board of Directors, National Reading Conference, 1998-2000
  • Distinguished Scholar Award, College of Education, 1997

Grants

  • Principal Investigator, A Comprehensive Approach to Improve the Preparation of University Faculty, Pre-service and In-service Teachers to Effectively Teach Limited English Proficient Students, U.S. Department of Education, 2007
  • Principal Investigator, Instruction of Reading Comprehension: Cognitive Strategies or Cognitive Engagement, Institute of Education Sciences, 2003
  • Co-Principal Investigator, Teachers for the 21st Century: Recruiting, Mentoring & Placing Culturally Diverse Teachers, U.S. Department of Education, 1996

Selected Publications

  • García, G. E., McKoon, G., & August, D. (2008). Language and literacy assessment. In D. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing reading and writing in second language learners: Lessons from the report of the National Literacy Panel on language minority Children and youth (251-274). NY: Routledge, Center for Applied Linguistics, and the International Reading Association.
  • García, G. E., McKoon, G., & August, D. (2006). Language and literacy assessment of language-minority students. In D. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing literacy in second-language learners: Report of the national literacy panel on language-minority children and youth (pp. 597-630). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  • Garcia, G. E., Bray, T. M., Mora, R. A., Primeaux, J., Ricklef, M. A., Engel, L. C., et al. (2006). Working with teachers to change the literacy instruction of Latino students in urban schools. National Reading Conference Yearbook, 55, 155-170.
  • McCarthey, S. J., & Garcia, G. E. (2005). English language learners' writing practices and attitudes. Written Communication, 22(1), 36-75.
  • García, G. E. (2003). Introduction: Giving voice to multicultural literacy research and practice. In A. I. Willis, G. E. García, V. J. Harris, & R. Barrera (Eds.), Multicultural issues in literacy research and practice (pp. 1-10). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.