Next Steps on the Path…
Topics to Explore, Think About, and Discuss…
When We Know Better, We Do Better
Reading scores reveal only 35-37% of 4th, 8th, and 12th graders read at or above grade level (NAEP, 2019) without any overall improvement/gains in the past 20 years.
Reading scores reveal only 35-37% of 4th, 8th, and 12th graders read at or above a grade level (NAEP, 2019) without any overall improvement/gains in the past 20 years.
Topics to Explore and Discuss
The uncertainty, stress, and tumult of the pandemic may allow us to pause and plan the way forward.
Looking back on the past twenty years, here are the facts, which have improved our knowledge base, created opportunities for future improvement, and posed challenges for our children:
All parents are interested in ‘how their child is doing’ when they speak with their child’s teacher. Gone are the days where the teacher always takes the lead…it is now truly a shared effort and consistent parental involvement is necessary. I am hearing over and over again, “I didn’t know my child had a problem with ___________ (fill in the blank)” or “My child doesn’t know how to ______” (fill in the blank). Parents may now more involved in their children’s day-to-day education, and these educational gaps may be more obvious and troubling. Parents absolutely have the ability to have a positive impact on the everyday demands of ‘school’. Even after the pandemic is under control, I believe increased parental involvement in children’s education will become part of the fabric of our society.
There is now a well developed and valid knowledge base explaining the “Science of Reading.” It explains how the human brain figures out how to make sense and create meaning from a series of black and white marks on a blank page.
The central and fundamental role oral language development plays in literacy development. Oral language development precedes and is the foundation upon which reading rests.
The large role motor development plays in literacy development. Adding the motor element to vision and hearing enhances all learning. Writing each alphabet letter helps children more easily learn letter names and sounds. Writing also helps to improve spelling and composition skills.
The key role Executive Function and Self-Regulation play in terms of overall learning. Being able “to get the job done” and “self-regulate” mediates and improves learning in all environments.
The educational learning losses and adequate progress now experienced while many of our nation’s children have utilized distance learning — this will be part of what is known as the ‘Covid Slide’.
Surprisingly, reading scores reveal only 35-37% of 4th, 8th and 12th graders read at or above a Proficient Level (“Proficient” means reading just at grade level), without any improvement/gains in the past 20 years!!! These scores are lower than when last assessed in 2017. These numbers are even lower for students of color, students whose first language is not English, and those receiving special education services. There is hope for the future with increased teacher participation in Professional Development and increased adoption of literacy programs based upon the Science of Reading.
(NAEP-National Association of Educational Progress,
commonly known as the ‘National Report Card’)
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Finding Some Answers… Leading to Peace of Mind