A groundbreaking podcast titled Sold a Story dives deep into the systemic issues surrounding reading instruction in American schools, revealing how long-held misconceptions about how children learn to read have led to significant educational shortcomings.Hosted by Emily Hanford, the podcast examines the origins of these flawed methods and their lasting impact on students.
Key findings from the podcast include:
- High Rates of Reading Struggles: Approximately 65% of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient readers, a statistic that underscores the urgency of addressing ineffective teaching methods. The podcast highlights specific cases, such as one father discovering that his daughter was unable to read during remote learning, which illustrates the broader problem.
- Debunked Educational Theories: The podcast critiques the reading instruction methods promoted by influential figures like Marie Clay and Lucy Calkins. Despite being based on theories disproven by cognitive science, these methods remain widely used in classrooms, contributing to ongoing reading difficulties among students.
- Financial Implications: The podcast discusses the financial burden of ineffective reading programs, noting that schools and districts have invested substantial resources in materials and training based on these flawed approaches, leading to wasted funds and lost educational opportunities.
- Calls for Change: Following the podcast’s release, there has been a growing movement among parents, educators, and lawmakers to reevaluate and reform reading instruction. Many are advocating for a shift towards evidence-based practices, emphasising the importance of adopting the “science of reading” approach, which focuses on phonics and systematic instruction.
- Impact on Educators: The podcast reveals that many teachers have felt the repercussions of these outdated methods and are now seeking to align their instruction with scientifically backed strategies to improve student outcomes.
Sold a Story serves as both an exposé and a call to action, urging stakeholders in education to confront the consequences of these long-standing misconceptions. As schools grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic and the challenges of teaching reading effectively, the insights offered in this podcast could play a crucial role in shaping future educational policies and practices.
For more information and to listen to the episodes, visit the full podcast at Sold a Story: Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong.
Education technology tools to improve reading skills that may interest you:
Get a special discount by quoting code AISLMALL during CHECKOUT.
CHINESE 1-2-TREE - LEVELED READING PLATFORM FOR PRE-K TO GRADE 8
Chinese 1-2-Tree offers literacy essentials for every PreK-8 Chinese classroom. We offer a complete solution for reading instruction and student practice, perfect for use in class and at home. Rely on our easy-to-use resources to build foundational skills and strengthen reading comprehension.
Earth Cubs Environmental Content
Earth Cubs offers free, award-winning content on sustainability, climate change, and the environment. Through positive storytelling, it inspires young children on topics like renewable energy and equality, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and is supported by mission-aligned organizations.
Oxford University Press Oxford Reading Club (Over 1000 ebooks with audio)
An e-reading platform with 1000+ books across 13 series of Oxford leveled readers including selected titles from Oxford Reading Tree, Oxford Bookworms, Dominoes…etc., ranging from first phonics to classic literature. It offers a smart way to read digital graded readers and improve all areas of English learning for 2-18-year-old. Supports desktop browsers, Phones and tablets.
Literacy - Texthelp
Read&Write supports literacy by helping with tasks like reading, understanding words, and proofing work. EquatIO simplifies creating digital math equations, enhancing accessibility. OrbitNote transforms document interaction, making it dynamic, accessible, and collaborative for all students.
