Science of Reading News Digest: August 2022

This post was originally shared in an email newsletter on August 30, 2022. If you would like to receive the next TLA Newsletter, you can sign up here.

As the science of reading sweeps across the United States, advocacy groups, concerned parents, researchers, and legislators have all played a role in both encouraging and requiring the implementation of evidence-based reading instructional practices.

Reporting suggests that curriculum publishers and teacher preparation programs have stalled progress, making implementation exceedingly difficult for teachers after making the challenging shift from theoretical methods to evidence-based practice.

While a shift is happening nationwide, more support from all stakeholders is necessary to ensure that all students learn to read proficiently.

Public schools in California address the needs of students with dyslexia in varied ways. While some schools are implementing systemic changes to support struggling readers, families at other schools are needing to fight for in-school services or find expensive outside tutoring.

California is currently one of ten states that does not require schools to screen all students for dyslexia. While state legislation in 2015 required the creation of statewide dyslexia guidance, it did not require that schools follow this guidance. Dyslexia advocacy groups are pushing for comprehensive legislation and support.

Indiana's Governor Eric Holcomb and Education Secretary Katie Jenner announced an investment of $111 million into early literacy development across the state. These monies will fund school-based literacy coaches, professional development stipends for teachers, and will establish a literacy center within the Indiana Department of Education.

The Colorado State Board of Education was unable to grant full approval to four majors within the University of Colorado Denver's teacher preparation program due to a lack of alignment with the science of reading. CU Denver will be required to make appropriate course revisions that align with scientifically-based reading instruction, embed standards across courses and clinical teaching experiences, and ensure the training of reading faculty on Colorado's reading law.

While this lack of full approval does not prevent the programs from continuing, it does subject CU Denver to quicker follow-up from the State Board of Education.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released statewide guidance that requires dyslexia screening for K-2 students, and the Western Massachusetts special education advocacy community is encouraging families to advocate for their learners this school year to ensure students are getting services they are entitled to receive within the school setting.

As early detection leads to early intervention, parents and family members are positioned to advocate for their students to school districts.