Peter Afflerbach
Peter Afflerbach is an American educator and researcher specializing in literacy, reading assessment, and reading comprehension. He is Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he contributed to the study and teaching of reading strategies and individual differences in reading.
Early life and education
Peter Afflerbach was born on October 28, 1956, in Queens, New York City. He attended public schools in New York City and later earned his doctorate in reading from the University at Albany, SUNY, where he focused on reading comprehension strategies and assessment.Teaching career
Before transitioning to academia, Afflerbach worked as a teacher in various roles, including as a Chapter 1 remedial reading teacher, a middle school reading and writing teacher, and a high school English teacher.Academic career
Afflerbach joined the faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he served as a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership.His research interests include:
- Individual differences in reading
- Reading comprehension strategies and processes
- Reading in Internet and hypertext environments
- Reading assessment
- Mindfulness in reading
Contributions to literacy research
Afflerbach's served on several National Academy of Education and National Academy of Sciences committees focused on literacy and assessment. He contributed to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, serving on its 2025 Reading Framework Development Committee and other related committees.Honors and recognition
- Inducted into the International Literacy Association’s Reading Hall of Fame
- Fellow of the American Educational Research Association
Publications
His works include:Understanding and Using Reading Assessment, K–12Teaching Readers : Moving Beyond Skills and Strategies to Reader-Focused Instruction- ''Fostering Metacognitive and Independent Readers''