Science of Reading News Digest: January 2025
The Literacy Architects
We break down complex literacy routines into bite-sized steps and host communities of practice on structured literacy.
Did January feel like a blur or a marathon for you? Here at The Literacy Architects, we hit the ground running with leading a?PreK PD?in Texas,?presenting an?edWeb?webinar?sponsored by our friends at Learning A-Z, facilitating a?fluency session for 150+ DC charter school teachers, teaching a course on literacy assessments for the Memphis Literacy Institute, doing some in-person literacy coaching,?and more!
Our Spring calendar is filling up quickly, so if you'd like to chat about bringing our PD to your school or district, let us know!
Here’s the latest literacy news, starting with what's at the top of everyone's mind:
The latest NAEP scores reveal a continued decline in reading performance, with lower-performing fourth and eighth graders posting some of the worst scores in over 30 years. While higher-achieving students have made gains, striving readers have fallen further behind, widening the achievement gap. Experts warn that these trends, which began before the pandemic, could have lasting consequences for students’ futures and economic equity. The results raise concerns about whether schools are doing enough to support striving readers, despite widespread efforts to shift to evidence-based reading instruction.
The University of North Carolina System took nearly eight years to overhaul its teacher preparation programs to align with evidence-based literacy instructional practices. Despite bipartisan support and widespread agreement on the effectiveness of the method, resistance from faculty and political tensions slowed the process. The delay has drawn criticism for leaving many educators unprepared to teach foundational reading skills. While the new curriculum is now in place, declining enrollment in teacher education programs and political divisions in K-12 education raise concerns about the long-term impact of these reforms.
(Note: With numerous states enacting regulations requiring teacher preparation programs to demonstrate their alignment to literacy research and to recently updated educator certification requirements, we know?the demands on professors' time and expertise are greater than ever. Despite these rigorous requirements, little support has been offered to the higher education community to implement these changes successfully. It’s with this challenge in mind we started our Higher Education Community of Practice. Learn more here.)
Minnesota schools are undergoing a significant shift in how they teach reading, driven by the 2023 Read Act, which mandates structured literacy training for teachers. This evidence-based approach replaces balanced literacy methods that have shown limited effectiveness. While the transition requires substantial resources, time, and "unlearning" by educators, early results in some districts show notable gains in student reading skills and closing achievement gaps. Education leaders view this reform as essential for long-term success, though full implementation may take years to reflect in statewide test scores.
Pennsylvania's construction industry faces a significant shortage of skilled workers, despite being a vital economic sector employing 258,000 people. Pre-apprenticeship programs like the Carpenters’ Apprentice Ready Program and adult literacy initiatives, such as those offered by Literacy Pittsburgh, help address workforce gaps by providing foundational skills in math, reading, and English. However, funding for adult and family literacy programs has not kept pace with demand. Increased investment in literacy and workforce training could strengthen Pennsylvania’s talent pipeline, improve job site safety and adaptability, and boost the state’s economy overall.
Tasmania’s shift to structured literacy, driven by concerns about poor literacy rates, has faced resistance from advocates of balanced literacy within the education system. Parent and advocate Marshall Roberts highlights how misinterpretation of research and adherence to outdated methods have slowed progress, leaving many students, especially those with learning difficulties, unsupported. While Tasmania is making strides, Roberts calls for faster, more precise implementation to support struggling readers and ensure lasting educational reform.
What We’re Working On
?? February's?topic for literacy leaders:
Background Knowledge and Vocabulary: They Don't Know What They Don't Know
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Here's what's on the Literacy Leadership Network Calendar this month:
?? February 3: Live webinar to help you translate reading research into concrete plans for instructional change.
?? February 4: Webinar recording + members-only resources and downloads so you can take your learning with you.
?? February 10: 2–4 short videos aligned to this month's topic so you can further your learning.
???? February 17: Live consultancy meeting to give you the time and space to receive feedback from and exchange ideas with peers.
? Week of February 24: Office hours to ask our literacy specialists questions about your specific school or district situation.
Background knowledge and vocabulary will be the focus of February's LLN topic, but that's not all you get access to in your portal! The Literacy Leadership Network now provides access to all past months of content! Our resource library includes 100+ different resources, including downloads, videos, articles, and our monthly webinars.
In Case You Missed It
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Want More?
?? Download our free structured literacy resources.
?? Explore our articles that delve into various aspects of literacy and implementation.
?? Connect with fellow leaders, discuss the science of reading, and gain access to 100+ literacy resources in our Literacy Leadership Network.
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