Today’s Science of Reading (SOR) was born of a right-wing conservative phonics focus. A Nation at Risk helped advance that messaging, and one of the messengers was Robert Sweet, Jr. As the country … Read More
Grade Retention: The Debate Had Its Day, Now End It!
The permanency of retention and the message it sends students may have long-term effects on self-esteem and school attachment that may override even short-term academic benefits (1995). ~Melissa … Read More
The Science of POOR Kindergarten Reading Instruction
The push to have kindergarteners read through standardized drilling of sounds is one of the main reasons I distrust the Science of Reading (SoR). It's hard to disregard how children develop, their … Read More
About that School Trump Referred to in the State of the Union Address…
Donald Trump never mentioned public schools in his State of the Union Address, though February 23-27 was designated to celebrate them. A good President would have tipped their hat to the 3.8 million … Read More
A New National Reading Panel? It Depends
... I believed that because of its weaknesses, the report was dangerous in its potential for misuse. ~ Joanne Yatvin, from Education Week (2003). Educator, former president of the National Council … Read More