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Academics
Topic

Literacy

Standardized tests continue to show that a majority of California students perform below grade level in measures of reading and literacy. The issue of literacy is also often woven into other concerns about student performance and proficiency.
Commentary
May 19, 2022

A comprehensive reading plan is the only way to address our early literacy crisis

The failure to teach California’s three million low-income students to be effective readers is the ultimate existential threat.

Todd Collins
Literacy
April 29, 2022

An unmet promise: Early literacy for all in California

Educators and advocates at an EdSource roundtable urged state leaders to expand research-based teacher training on early literacy and "take responsibility" for California's literacy crisis.

Ali Tadayon
Following Covid Money in Education
April 19, 2022

How one California district invested its Covid funds in literacy, boosting student achievement — and morale

With $131 million in federal and state Covid relief funds, Lodi Unified chose to prioritize literacy and social-emotional learning in its plan to help students recover from the pandemic.

Carolyn Jones
Literacy
April 18, 2022

A small town in Kern County contemplates turning its community library into a police station

A petition pits the supporters of a county library branch against the small California city of McFarland's plan to convert it to a police headquarters.

Emma Gallegos
Analysis
April 14, 2022

Where are all of California's school librarians?

California has fewer credentialed teacher librarians in its school libraries per student than almost every state in the nation, a fact that research shows could be hurting students academically.

Diana Lambert
Commentary
April 5, 2022

California’s detailed test data gives it an advantage for the road ahead

A deeper dive into the Smarter Balanced test data reveals that the news is both better and worse than we previously realized.

David Wakelyn
Legislation
March 31, 2022

State literacy task force echoes call for more reading coaches, specialists

State education leaders put their support behind Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal to pay for literacy coaches and specialists at schools with low reading scores.

Ali Tadayon
English Learners
March 7, 2022

Will a universal screening test for dyslexia mislabel California’s English learners?

Some California teachers and researchers say tests must be carefully designed to avoid misdiagnosing dyslexia in students who are learning English.

Zaidee Stavely
California's Reading Dilemma
February 3, 2022

After setbacks, dyslexia screening for young students moves forward in California schools

Nearly $30 million is already allocated or proposed for dyslexia research and screening for young California students in an effort advocates say is long overdue.

Carolyn Jones
English Learners
December 20, 2021

How TK can help students learning English as a second language

Advocates say the expansion of transitional kindergarten is an opportunity to offer high-quality preschool to more children who speak a language other than English at home.

Zaidee Stavely
Commentary
December 14, 2021

Our students deserve better than our woeful school libraries

While classroom libraries offer the best access and public libraries offer the greatest variety, school libraries offer the best of both worlds: convenient access to a wide range of materials for both pleasure reading and curriculum support.

Jonathan Hunt
Commentary
October 27, 2021

Literacy is a gradual, growing investment in lifelong opportunity

Literacy is akin to a bank account. Small but consistent deposits add up. The more deposits we make, the more the account grows to be drawn upon later.

Miah Daughtery
Learning Well: Beyond the Pandemic
October 26, 2021

Can you teach reading on Zoom?

High-tech literacy projects emerged out of the pandemic as a way to ensure young students stay on track as they learn to read.

Karen D'Souza
Commentary
October 20, 2021

To improve literacy, focus on writing

Whereas reading is knowledge, writing is agency, power and influence.

Bita Nazarian, Jaime Balboa and Laura Brief
Commentary
October 5, 2021

California’s new reading goal is achievable, but it needs to be more meaningful

The state has taken great care to develop standards and exams in line with the expectations of colleges and employers. Now is the moment for policymakers to ensure their education goals match the state’s economic development needs.

David Wakelyn