Key points:
Driven in part by Mississippi's success To improve students' literacy scores, educators across the country have been discussing the science of reading and working to align their materials and practices with this research on how students learn to read. Next year, that broad trend will continue, with a shift to look beyond building knowledge as schools, districts, and states begin to improve capacity and create systems aligned with the science of reading.
Here are some specific predictions about what this could look like in 2024 for policymakers, schools and districts, educators, and publishers.
Political leaders
As far as policymakers are concerned, much of the action related to the science of reading in the coming year will likely take place at the state level. While there are people at the federal level eager to know more and willing to act, there hasn't been much political movement at that level yet.
At the state level, policymakers and decision makers will continue to develop guidance on the science of reading and evidence-aligned practices. Many states that have recently begun this work are starting with initiatives focused on generating knowledge, which is a great first step. Based on conversations in a community of practice I convened with literacy leaders from state education agencies, an important focus will be on building capacity for coaches to become the conduit between building knowledge and implementing practices aligned with literacy science. reading.
I hope they continue to get support from national nonprofits like The reading league, The way to followand ExcelinEd, as well as drawing on the expertise of those who volunteer their time and energy at The Reading League chapters across the United States. These are people with deep expertise in the science of reading who have worked in schools as coaches and administrators, and who are eager to be resources for state education agencies and other policymakers.
Recently, I've also seen a trend of people I refer to as “reading research legends,” like Reid Lyon, Doug Carnine, and some of the researchers at The Reading League virtual conference series, finding new energy and enthusiasm as they share research to inform practice. It is my hope that your knowledge, experience and expertise will be leveraged to shape and influence policy, whether at the state or national level.
Schools and districts
The movement toward aligning literacy with the science of reading has largely been a grassroots movement without federal support. Due to the lack of strong national guidance and support, some schools used their primary and secondary school emergency relief funds to adopt a curriculum that aims be the “science of reading”.
However, there is no curriculum. is the science of reading, and I think schools and districts are starting to understand this. The science of reading is not a set of practices. It is a body of research from multiple disciplines that helps us understand how people learn to read. If a curriculum focuses on only one component of literacy development, or if a district has not worked to develop knowledge of the science of reading among its faculty, they may not see the kind of growth in reading what they expect
To address some of those concerns, The Reading League Compass features a page for administrators to provide guidance on all the essential components needed to build a complete evidence-aligned literacy system. I predict that in the new year, more administrators and other educators will focus not only on developing knowledge and ensuring that their materials are aligned with the science of reading, but will go further to examine hiring practices, multiple levels and assessments. , the science of learning and implementation, and more. If they do, I also predict that they will be rewarded with valuable, progressive growth in student literacy outcomes.
Educators
Educators, including teachers, specialists, and professionals, have been an essential driving force in the movement to learn more about the science of reading. Based on the inspiring work that has been supported by the educators who lead The Reading League chapters, I can confidently predict that educators will continue to be eager to understand how to bring evidence-aligned practices and materials into their classrooms. They will continue to be equipped with the knowledge on how to support the literacy needs of their students through professional development, curriculum implementation, data-driven decision making, and individual learning from professional learning communities.
Unfortunately, there has been and will continue to be a trend in the media and social media that attempts to discredit work related to the science of reading, particularly by companies whose market shares are threatened by changes in learning and teaching. of literacy.
These organizations are well-resourced and fan the flames of dissonance by focusing on areas where there are misconceptions. The Reading League predicted this and described it ahead of time in our free eBook. Science of reading: defining guide. The guide explains that the science of reading is not an ideology or a philosophy. It is not a political movement or a single approach to teaching. It is not an instructional program or a specific component of instruction like phonics. As the backlash, fueled by moneyed interests and misconceptions, continues, advocates, researchers, and educators will continue to push back on those misconceptions with scientific evidence and, over time, improved student outcomes.
Additionally, there has been some historical division between advocates for the science of reading and some advocates who support diverse learners, including English learners and emerging bilingual (EL/EB) learners. This year, the Reading League and the National Committee for Effective Literacy (NCEL), which is an organization that supports EL/EB, partnered in a joint declaration on the Effectiveness of the Science of Reading for EL/EB, hosted at The Reading League Compass Emerging Bilingual/English Learner Page. I predict that in the coming year, partnerships like The Reading League and NCEL will begin to help heal divisions and welcome new, diverse voices into the conversation about evidence-aligned literacy.
Editors
Publishers will continue working to align their educational materials with the science of reading in 2024. The Reading League remains hopeful as we hear publishers using resources, like our Guidelines for Curriculum Assessmentto refine your materials.
As I look forward to the new year, the success of schools, districts, and states like the turnaround in Mississippi student literacy is exciting and inspiring, but they didn't achieve it by simply building knowledge. They did this through a comprehensive review of their approach to literacy learning. Right now, schools and districts are prepared to make 2024 the year when the rest of the country strives to follow their lead and share in their success.
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