2007-04-13 21:34:10 -

NEWARK, Del., April 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Reading Association is mourning the death of Dame Marie Clay of New Zealand, a recognized world leader in literacy and past president of IRA.

Current International Reading Association president Timothy Shanahan, professor of urban education at the University of Illinois, Chicago, observed, "Marie Clay was a remarkable educator. She was by far the most important champion of the idea that reading problems could be identified and addressed with young children. Previous to her landmark efforts, it was common educational practice to ignore

early learning delays in the hopes that these children might outgrow the problems, with the result that many struggling readers fell further behind. Clay's highly influential work on behalf of children has led to a more appropriately aggressive and thoughtful effort to ensure reading success from the beginning. Her passing is a great loss to the education community and to the world."

Alan E. Farstrup, International Reading Association executive director, noted, "Dame Marie was a true friend to all of us and a renowned leader of our profession. Her wise and calm counsel will be sorely missed. She will not be forgotten!"

Clay joined the International Reading Association in 1982 and served as its president in 1992-93. Prior to her presidency, she served as president of the Auckland IRA Council, national coordinator in New Zealand, and international representative to the IRA Board of Directors. She was a member of the Reading Research Quarterly editorial advisory board and the program committee for a number of IRA World Congresses, and chaired or served on many IRA committees.

Source: International Reading Association