158 DEFINING READING LITERACY 27. Definitions of reading and reading literacy have changed over time to reflect changes in
society, economy, culture and technology. Reading is no longer considered an ability acquired only
in childhood during the early years of schooling. Instead it is viewed as an expanding set of
knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals build on throughout life in various contexts,
through interaction with their peers and the wider community. Thus, reading must be considered
across the varied ways in which citizens interact with text-based artefacts and how reading is part
of life-long learning.
Cognitively-based theories of reading emphasise the constructive nature of comprehension, the
diversity of cognitive processes involved in reading and their interactive nature (Binkley, Rust, &
Williams 1997; Kintsch, 1998; McNamara & Magliano, 2009; Oakhill, Cain, & Bryant, 2003; Snow
and the RAND Reading Group, 2002; Zwaan & Singer, 2003). The reader generates meaning in
response to text by using previous knowledge and a range of text and situational cues that are
often socially and culturally derived. While constructing meaning, competent readers use various
processes, skills and strategies to locate information, to monitor and maintain understanding (van
den Broek, Risden, & Husbye-Hartmann, 1995) and to critically assess the relevance and validity
of the information (Richter & Rapp, 2014). These processes and strategies are expected to vary
with context and purpose as readers interact with multiple continuous and non-continuous texts
both in print and when using digital technologies (Britt & Rouet, 2012; Coiro, Knobel, Lankshear, &
Leu, 2008).
Box 1. The definition of reading literacy in earlier PISA cycles The PISA 2000 definition of reading literacy was as follows:
Reading literacy is understanding, using and reflecting on written texts, in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and potential, and to participate in society. The PISA 2009 definition of reading, continued for 2012 and 2015, added engagement in
reading as part of reading literacy:
Reading literacy is understanding, using, reflecting on and engaging with written texts, in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and potential, and to participate in society. 28. For 2018 the definition of reading literacy adds in evaluation of texts as an integral part of
reading liter
acy and removes the word “written”.