In the United States, disciplinary literacy is the teaching of literacy within the defined disciplines of mathematics, science, English-language arts, and social studies. This process is defined as "the use of reading, rereading, investigating, speaking, and writing required to learn and form complex content knowledge appropriate to a particular discipline".[1] Through the practices of disciplinary literacy, educators are to present content using real-world examples and connections, and do so in such a way as to accurately incorporate and exemplify the everyday lives of all students, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. As such, students are coached to become experts in each disciplinary field;[2] that is, students are encouraged and expected to acquire and use skills, during reading, that professionals in each of the disciplines themselves are using.[2] To note, disciplinary literacy does not demand reading skills be taught during instruction of various content areas, there is still some crossover, with the need to incorporate some reading skills, such as vocabulary instruction.[2]
Disciplinary literacy is the result of the inception of the Common Core State Standards,[3] Next Generation Science Standards, and 3C Framework for Social Studies.[2] These standards promote the reading and writing of complex texts within the various disciplines.[3]