Diane Barone, professor of literacy studies at the University of Nevada, Reno and noted researcher and author, has received the International Reading Association's John Chorlton Manning Public School Service Award for 2010.

The $10,000 award, established in 2004, honors and carries on the work of IRA Past President John Chorlton Manning. It is designed to improve public education by recognizing the importance of integrating teacher preparation, professional development, and related research with the work of public schools, classrooms, teachers, and students.

Barone has focused on young children's literacy development and instruction in high- poverty schools. Her research includes a four-year study of children exposed prenatally to crack/cocaine and a seven-year study of children, predominantly English language learners, in a high-poverty school.

"Diane reflects the best in the research-to-practice paradigm," said William Sparkman, dean of the University's College of Education. "Her work is making a profound difference in informing teacher education in colleges and universities as well as improving instructional practice in the public schools."

A prolific author, she has published articles in a number of professional association journals, including IRA's The Reading Teacher and Reading Research Quarterly, the American Educational Research Association's Journal of Literacy Research, and the National Council of Teachers of English's Research in the Teaching of English as well as in the Elementary School Journal and Gifted Childhood Quarterly,

Her many books include "Using Your Core Reading Program & Children's Literature K-3 and 4-6", "Research-Based Practices in Early Literacy, "with Leslie Morrow, and "Resilient Children."

Barone works daily in public schools to enhance student learning in literacy and has mentored teachers seeking national board certification. She served as the editor of Reading Research Quarterly and was a board member of the International Reading Association and the National Reading Conference.

"Her work and scholarship has brought considerable national and international recognition to the College of Education," said Sparkman. "More important, however, is that her work is making a positive impact on how young children are taught in high-poverty public school."

The International Reading Association is a community of reading professionals united by the mission to promote higher levels of literacy, reading, and communication by advancing the quality of instruction and research worldwide. A network of 1,200 councils and more than 50 national affiliates forms the working foundation for the Association.