University of New Mexico. Navajo Reading Study

The Navajo Reading Study was established in 1969 to investigate the feasibility and effect of teaching Navajo children to read their own language before learning to read English. The project was supported by grants from the Ford Foundation and contracts with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Office of Education. Dr. Bernard Spolsky, Professor of Linguistics, Elementary Education and Anthropology at the University of New Mexico was the principal investigator. The study was conducted at Navajo public schools, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and community-controlled schools in New Mexico and Arizona, as well as at the University of New Mexico. Language studies, a dictionary project, sociolinguistic studies, a survey of reading materials, preparation of Navajo reading materials, evaluation and coordination, teacher training projects at Sanostee-Toadlena and Ramah, preparation of a Navajo bilingual curriculum, development of a model for analysis and evaluation of bilingual education, and a survey of American Indian bilingual education were all part of the project. Title VII money was granted to establish teacher training and to fund the development of Navajo reading materials. The project produced close to 50 books, all of them written in Navajo (not translated from English). There was an effort to make the books sturdy and attractive so that the written Navajo language would not have a second rate status in the children's eyes. Navajo Reading Study Progress Reports, as well as other publications pertaining to the Navajo Reading Study are catalogued in the University of New Mexico Libraries' online catalog.

From the description of University of New Mexico, Navajo Reading Study records, 1940-1979 (bulk 1969-1975) (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 231625203

The Navajo Reading Study was established in 1969 to investigate the feasibility and effect of teaching Navajo children to read their own language before learning to read English. The project was supported by grants from the Ford Foundation and contracts with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Office of Education. Dr. Bernard Spolsky, Professor of Linguistics, Elementary Education and Anthropology at the University of New Mexico was the principal investigator.

The study was conducted at Navajo public schools, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and community-controlled schools in New Mexico and Arizona, as well as at the University of New Mexico. Language studies, a dictionary project, sociolinguistic studies, a survey of reading materials, preparation of Navajo reading materials, evaluation and coordination, teacher training projects at Sanostee-Toadlena and Ramah, preparation of a Navajo bilingual curriculum, development of a model for analysis and evaluation of bilingual education, and a survey of American Indian bilingual education were all part of the project. Title VII money was granted to establish teacher training and to fund the development of Navajo reading materials. The project produced close to 50 books, all of them written in Navajo (not translated from English). There was an effort to make the books sturdy and attractive so that the written Navajo language would not have a second rate status in the children’s eyes.

Navajo Reading Study Progress Reports, as well as other publications pertaining to the Navajo Reading Study are catalogued in the University of New Mexico Libraries' online catalog.

Source: Bernard Spolsky, “Linguistics in Practice: The Navajo Reading Study" in Theory into Practice: Language Use and Acquisition, Volume 14:5 (December 1975) and G. Edward Evans, Karin Abbey, and Jeff Clark, “Further Notes on Bilingual Education Projects" in Journal of American Indian Education, Volume 20:1 (January 1981)

From the guide to the University of New Mexico Navajo Reading Study Records, 1940-1979, 1969-1975, (University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research)