Literacy

Why focus is a superpower in the classroom: A Q&A with author Doug Lemov

May 29, 2024

Short attention spans and the diminished ability to focus may be adding fuel to the literacy and numeracy crises, experts warn.

Karen D'Souza

Commentary

To improve how California students read, we must get past confusion and misinformation

May 23, 2024

How can we ever make progress when we’re locked in an eternal game of whack-a-false-mole?

Claude Goldenberg

Getting California kids to read: What will it take?

May 15, 2024

Fewer than half of California students are reading by third grade, experts say. Worse still, far fewer Black and Latino students meet that standard. What needs to change?

Karen D'Souza

Dissent, no funding yet for statewide teacher training in math and reading

April 29, 2024

A bill sponsored by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond would provide math and reading training for all teachers. But money is scarce, and some English language advocates have problems with phonics.

John Fensterwald

Why knowledge matters for literacy: A Q&A with Natalie Wexler

April 24, 2024

Science of reading expert explains why teaching kids background knowledge, from science to history, is vital if you want them to become deep readers.

Karen D'Souza

Sharp divisions over how California's aspiring teachers will be taught to teach reading

April 22, 2024

Critics condemn the accreditation of a teacher preparation program they say ignores important new standards for teaching reading.

John Fensterwald

Bill to mandate 'science of reading' in California schools faces teachers union opposition

April 5, 2024

The move puts the fate of AB 2222 in question, but supporters insist that there is room to negotiate changes that can help tackle the state's literacy crisis.

Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Zaidee Stavely

Commentary

English learners, too, would benefit from fixing how we teach reading in California; this bill is a good start

April 1, 2024

Bill opponents should seek to improve the legislation rather leave students with outdated reading instruction.

Claude Goldenberg

English learner advocates in California oppose 'science of reading' bill

March 8, 2024

Two prominent organizations say the proposal would dismantle progress made to improve reading instruction for those students.

Zaidee Stavely

Commentary

Teachers alone can’t address the literacy crisis

February 27, 2024

Early literacy tutors can provide critical support for beleaguered teachers, whose jobs have become ever more difficult coming out of the pandemic.

Ashley Jochim

Commentary

California should follow Mississippi's lead on reading instruction

February 26, 2024

Mississippi's gains in reading achievement put its schools ahead of where they were before the pandemic. California's reading scores continue to fall.

David Wakelyn

Setting aside local control, legislation would mandate how to teach reading in California

February 7, 2024

Bill author Blanca Rubio and advocates argue research justifies setting requirements on choosing textbooks and training teachers on reading instruction.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

The solution to California’s literacy problem needs to go beyond third grade

January 30, 2024

We cannot support and empower adolescent readers when their only choices for practice are juvenile stories like "Hop on Pop."

Louise Baigelman

Commentary

Solving California's early literacy crisis is a social justice imperative

January 29, 2024

California must pass a comprehensive literacy policy agenda based on the science of reading to ensure all children can become proficient.

Megan Potente and Marshall Tuck

Berkeley schools use a discredited reading curriculum. Why is it still in classrooms?

January 24, 2024

Berkeley School District was sued in 2017 over literacy instruction and the needs of dyslexic students. A new curriculum is coming.

Ally Markovich | Berkeleyside