Read on Twitter
I'd like to point out a major issue-slash-opportunity w/ Ed reporting.
In elementary schools, a prevalent reading approach tracks kids in grades K–2. It's structurally racist – AND INEFFECTIVE.
In last 3 yrs, only EdWeek has covered its shortcomings.
1/ https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/29/are-classroom-reading-groups-the-best-way.html?cmp=soc-li-shr
In elementary schools, a prevalent reading approach tracks kids in grades K–2. It's structurally racist – AND INEFFECTIVE.
In last 3 yrs, only EdWeek has covered its shortcomings.
1/ https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/29/are-classroom-reading-groups-the-best-way.html?cmp=soc-li-shr
We talk in Twitter about the fact that this approach to teaching reading is structurally racist (and ineffective).
The issue has equity written all over it and it's happening in 70-80% of K–5 classrooms.
That's absent from national media coverage.
2/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1269234256078913538
The issue has equity written all over it and it's happening in 70-80% of K–5 classrooms.
That's absent from national media coverage.
2/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1269234256078913538
I've never understood how this reading instruction issue gets so little attention, in light of the growing concerns about reading instruction and our flat national reading outcomes.
As covered by @DanaGoldstein @EricaLG
3/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/us/reading-scores-national-exam.html
As covered by @DanaGoldstein @EricaLG
3/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/us/reading-scores-national-exam.html
But esp. now, as @EdWriters work to cover racism in schools, *we can't leave out instruction*. These issues deserve a spotlight, too.
The LRG issue is a lay-up to write about.
1. Experts like @ReadingShanahan have written about it (collection here): https://eduvaites.org/2019/11/02/leveled-reading-groups-dont-work-why-arent-we-talking-about-it/
The LRG issue is a lay-up to write about.
1. Experts like @ReadingShanahan have written about it (collection here): https://eduvaites.org/2019/11/02/leveled-reading-groups-dont-work-why-arent-we-talking-about-it/
In fact, @ReadingShanahan just wrote about the issue for @AFTunion magazine in their recent literacy issue (all of which is worth a read):
5/
https://www.aft.org/ae/summer2020/shanahan
5/
https://www.aft.org/ae/summer2020/shanahan
2. Parents can easily grasp the issue. Every parent is used to hearing child's reading level recited at parent-teacher conferences.
Imagine if parents learned that there was zero evidence behind the reading instruction approach happening in those schools. Big story!
Imagine if parents learned that there was zero evidence behind the reading instruction approach happening in those schools. Big story!
3. Educator sources can explain how they moved away from it, and what that did for kids.
All of these CAOs can be sources: https://curriculummatters.org/about-us/
@JaredMyracle @robin_mcclellan @yblivelaughlove @janiselane22 @edukings @nakiahardy @ColleenStearns2 @JanaBethFrancis
7/
All of these CAOs can be sources: https://curriculummatters.org/about-us/
@JaredMyracle @robin_mcclellan @yblivelaughlove @janiselane22 @edukings @nakiahardy @ColleenStearns2 @JanaBethFrancis
7/
Their stories are powerful!
About letting kids reading texts on their own grade level:
“It has never been that they couldn’t do it. It’s that we didn’t let them.”
#chills
Here's a thread with 30+ educator voices (more sources, y'all!):
8/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1233053259746697217?s=20
About letting kids reading texts on their own grade level:
“It has never been that they couldn’t do it. It’s that we didn’t let them.”
#chills
Here's a thread with 30+ educator voices (more sources, y'all!):
8/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1233053259746697217?s=20
4. It's not too hard to find schools getting this wrong. They are everywhere. Schools using Reading Workshop and Fountas and Pinnell typically do leveled reading group work.
(Also, reading experts' reviews will further validate the concerns.) https://eduvaites.org/2020/01/25/understanding-the-concerns-about-teachers-college-reading-workshop/
(Also, reading experts' reviews will further validate the concerns.) https://eduvaites.org/2020/01/25/understanding-the-concerns-about-teachers-college-reading-workshop/
That said, it's prob more compelling to write about schools getting it right by challenging ALL kids with grade level texts ( #EQUITY), esp BC so many have compelling outcomes stories. Like @BaltCitySchools:
Talk to @janiselane22 @SonjaSantelises.
10/ https://eduvaites.org/2020/01/07/what-i-saw-in-baltimore-schools-should-inspire-us-all/
Talk to @janiselane22 @SonjaSantelises.
10/ https://eduvaites.org/2020/01/07/what-i-saw-in-baltimore-schools-should-inspire-us-all/
Or @GCSchoolsNC.
Talk to @scontrerasGCS and @enJOYliteracy. (Diverse sources, y'll! Have you noticed that Black female superintendents lead on literacy? I have.
)
11/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1170374384546197506
Talk to @scontrerasGCS and @enJOYliteracy. (Diverse sources, y'll! Have you noticed that Black female superintendents lead on literacy? I have.
)11/ https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1170374384546197506
Or @LenoirCitySch where @MillicentZoe710 reports "We closed equity gaps, and saw historic levels of proficiency for our English Language Learners."
Or @sullcoschools where @robin_mcclellan decreased the number of at-risk kids Like Whoa.
12/ https://curriculummatters.org/2020/05/01/supporting-our-fellow-equity-warriors/
Or @sullcoschools where @robin_mcclellan decreased the number of at-risk kids Like Whoa.
12/ https://curriculummatters.org/2020/05/01/supporting-our-fellow-equity-warriors/
Or Cecil County, which had 3 straight years of growth in MD assessments after changing practice.
They note precisely this issue: "Guided reading was keeping many kids trapped in low-level texts."
Talk to @DrJalawson.
13/ https://curriculummatters.org/2020/05/21/cecil-county-had-the-highest-literacy-growth-in-maryland-heres-how-we-did-it/
They note precisely this issue: "Guided reading was keeping many kids trapped in low-level texts."
Talk to @DrJalawson.
13/ https://curriculummatters.org/2020/05/21/cecil-county-had-the-highest-literacy-growth-in-maryland-heres-how-we-did-it/
Or @Detroitk12, which saw gains in ELA and math on MI assessments. Talk with @BethACGonzalez @Dr_Vitti.
I will happily brief any reporter (on background or record) who wants to write about this issue & can also suggest addl sources not named above.
14/ https://twitter.com/BethACGonzalez/status/1118852709535420416
I will happily brief any reporter (on background or record) who wants to write about this issue & can also suggest addl sources not named above.
14/ https://twitter.com/BethACGonzalez/status/1118852709535420416
More generally: we cannot continue to see stories that attempt a comprehensive overview of racism in schools – and even include a heading on 'Academics' – yet completely neglect instruction.
Bias is not the only issue! Ed writers need to do better.
15/ https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/to-understand-structural-racism-look-to-our-schools/
Bias is not the only issue! Ed writers need to do better.
15/ https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/to-understand-structural-racism-look-to-our-schools/
