Research data from a University of North Carolina reading specialist doesn’t support claims of low athlete literacy levels at the school, according to reports released Friday from three outside experts.
The university hired Georgia State, Minnesota and Virginia professors to review Mary Willingham’s findings. Willingham told CNN in January that her research of 183 football or basketball players from 2004-12 found 60 percent reading at fourth- to eighth-grade levels and roughly 10 percent below a third-grade level.
One expert estimated about 7 percent of athletes from Willingham’s research read at fourth- to eighth-grade levels in his report. The school says the data included scores for 176 athletes, including baseball and volleyball players, and was based on testing to screen for learning disabilities or other problems.
The school said it had about 1,800 athletes attend the school during the eight-year period.
UNC had called Willingham’s findings flawed after its own internal review of her data, which she provided to Provost James W. Dean Jr., on Jan. 13. She has stood by her findings and said in a statement Friday that she needed time to review the reports before “a full response.”
“For now I will just say that I am disappointed that the university neglected to take even the most basic steps to ensure the integrity, impartiality and fairness of its supposedly ‘independent’ review of my data,” Willingham said. “The fact that they engaged in this exercise without ever seeking input from me or my research partner, and without the raw scores, or an examination of the full battery of tests … speaks volumes about the true motivations behind today’s press release.
“UNC personnel with the knowledge and expertise to verify my claims continue to remain and/or are being forced to remain silent.”
