The Reading Hall of Fame announced Diane Barone, foundation professor of literacy in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno, will be inducted as one of its newest members this spring. Barone will be the first in Nevada to be inducted into this literary research community. This invitation positions her in a leadership role as someone whose research is nationally and internationally recognized.
Barone’s research has focused on children’s literacy development and instruction in high poverty schools. She has conducted two longitudinal studies of literacy development: one, a four-year study of children prenatally exposed to crack/cocaine and two, a seven-year study of children, predominantly English language learners, in a high-poverty school.
“The types of studies Diane does are extremely rare– a unicorn of the research world,” Julie Pennington, associate professor in the College of Education, said. “Very few professors in our field complete longitudinal studies because of the large amount of time they take.”
Her last two studies were widely credited and offered insight into two topics not vastly explored. As a result, Barone published in a variety of journals on reading literacy. Barone is also the editor of “The Reading Teacher,” a peer-reviewed journal published by the International Reading Association. In addition to her longitudinal studies, Barone has written several books includingDeveloping Literacy; Resilient Children and Teaching Early Literacy: Development, Assessment and Instruction. Barone recently completed terms as a board member for the International Reading Association and the National Reading Conference.
Barone holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Case-Western Reserve University, a master’s in education with a focus on early childhood education from Kent State University and a doctorate degree in literacy from the University of Nevada, Reno. She first began teaching at the University in 1994.
“I am honored to be chosen as a member of this community,” Barone said. “When I was a doctoral student, I was reading James Baumann and Luis Moll’s works. Now I’m being inducted into this community of literary experts with them. It’s remarkable.”
Members of The Reading Hall of Fame must be nominated by a colleague and are widely known and respected by people in the profession. They have demonstrated active involvement in reading work for a minimum of 25 years. Additionally, membership requires contributions made within the following: authorship of publications on reading, including reports of significant research; performance in positions of responsibility in the field of reading; and preparation of leaders in the reading field through his/her teaching.
The Reading Hall of Fame was established in 1973. Its purpose is to contribute, from the collective experiences of its members, to further improvement in reading instruction. For more information, visit www.readinghalloffame.org.
