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Nancy Bailey's Education Website

Revive, Rally and Recover Public Schools

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The Science of Reading and The Rejection of Picture Books

March 26, 2023 By Nancy Bailey 36 Comments

The Science of Reading rejects the importance of picture books to children learning to read. In 2021, I wrote this, and many parents assumed that schools still use picture books and that children get exposure to them at home. The general idea was that picture books were taken for granted. But while there are quibbles […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: free reading, independent reading for young children, Picture Books, Read alouds, science of reading, science of reading and picture books

What Does ChatGPT Say About The Science of Reading? It May Surprise You

March 19, 2023 By Nancy Bailey 28 Comments

ChatGPT is raising concerns about the future of learning and advancing a new way to obtain information. Since many journalists, cognitive psychologists, educators, and parents claim that the Science of Reading (SoR) is the authentic way all children will learn to read, and there’s a drive for states to adopt expensive SoR programs, I asked […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: ChatGPT, reading, science of reading

Reading Disabilities: Focus on Public Schools NOT School Choice!

January 29, 2023 By Nancy Bailey 2 Comments

Parents of children with reading disabilities might be led to believe that school choice for a charter or private school is better than an actual public school. Still, there needs to be proof that those schools are better or that children will get accepted into good schools. Students may lose protection under the Individuals with Disabilities […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: All-Inclusive National Reading Panel, Betsy DeVos, dyslexia, Louisiana Key Academy, New National Reading Panel, New Orleans Charter Schools, Private and Charter schools, reading disabilities, Reading Results, School Choice, science of reading, Senator Bill Cassidy

Connecting Big Business with The Science of Reading: Replacing Teachers and Public Schools with Tech

November 29, 2022 By Nancy Bailey 17 Comments

A troubling feature of the Science of Reading (SoR) is the connection between those who believe in the power of phonemes (and more) and those who want to privatize public schools. The old NCLB crowd has been rejuvenated and seems onboard with digital instruction replacing public schools and teachers. Understanding this connection is critical for […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Corporate Connection to the Science of Reading, Cyber Schooling, Online Learning, School Privatization, science of reading

The Science of Reading Corporate Connection: Replacing Teachers with Tech

May 23, 2022 By Nancy Bailey 24 Comments

Many of the same individuals who favor charter schools, private schools, and online instruction, including corporate reformers, use the so-called Science of Reading (SoR) to make public school teachers look like they’ve failed at teaching reading. Politicians and corporations have had a past and current influence on reading instruction to privatize public schools with online […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Common Core, Common Core State Standards and the Science of Reading, Corporations and the Science of Reading, Reading Instruction, science of reading, Technology and the Science of Reading

The Science of Reading Ignores The Importance of Picture Books to Early Learning

June 6, 2021 By Nancy Bailey 52 Comments

Increasingly, parents and teachers are embracing the controversial Science of Reading (SoR), pushing for State policies that reinforce more phonics instruction. It’s troubling to see they only discuss commercial decoding programs, of which there are many. They rarely mention the importance of picture books and giving children the chance to read freely. Is phonics important? […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: audiobooks, Bibliotherapy, Causal Information and picture books, Comic books, Decoding Booklets, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, kindergarten readiness, libraries, libraries and reading, magazines, Picture Books, picture books and mathematics, Reach out and Read, science of reading, Wordless Picture Books

3rd Grade Reading Laws Are Harmful

September 21, 2020 By Nancy Bailey 3 Comments

By Stefanie Rysdahl Fuhr Many states insist that students read by third grade. If students have difficulties they might be retained. Students might master reading later. They should not be punished if they aren’t reading perfectly in third grade. Last spring I sent this letter to my state legislators.  Feel free to use it as […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: 3rd grade reading, 3rd grade reading laws, reading, reading assessment, retention, science of reading

There’s No “Science of Reading” Without School Libraries and Librarians, A Predictor of Student Success

March 1, 2020 By Nancy Bailey 38 Comments

The loss of libraries and qualified librarians in the poorest schools has reached a critical mass. Yet those who promote a Science of Reading (SoR), often supporting online reading programs, never mention the loss of school libraries or qualified librarians. Ignoring the importance of school libraries and certified librarians delegitimizes any SoR. Children need books, […]

Filed Under: Featured, Uncategorized Tagged With: online reading programs, qualified school librarians, school libraries, science of reading

Parents and Teachers United: A Force for Students, Public Education, and America!

November 28, 2019 By Nancy Bailey 14 Comments

On this Thanksgiving, I am remembering parents and teachers, Republicans and Democrats, who work together to create public schools that serve all children. This relationship is sacred and critical for children to learn. Without this bond there’s little hope for public education and America’s future. The corporate reform, dystopian goal is to destroy public education […]

Filed Under: Featured, Uncategorized Tagged With: Amplify, Astroturf parent groups, IDEA, Parents across america, Parents and teachers, PTA, Red for Ed, science of reading, Thanksgiving, The Waltons

Reading Instruction, The Attack on Teachers, and Two Areas of Concern

March 10, 2019 By Nancy Bailey 22 Comments

Almost every day there’s another report attacking teachers for how they teach reading. It divides parents and teachers. It’s also dangerous at a time when there’s a teacher shortage and teachers are banding together to try to save not only their profession, but public education. I don’t like to see my profession criticized so harshly […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: dyslexia, For-Profit Colleges, phonics, Reading Instruction, science of reading, Teach for America

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