[ad_1]
Because the majority of third graders in California cannot read at grade level, the proposed bill would require teachers to use phonics-based reading science.
Member of Parliament blanca rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and 13 co-authors have proposed a bill that would update the state’s English curriculum to base it on the science of reading. Research has found that the best way to teach reading comprehension is through phonics, phonemic awareness, oral reading fluency, and vocabulary. and understanding.
This bill calls for increasing classroom materials and curriculum that align with the science of reading. It also highlights the need for increased professional development for teachers and increased monitoring of the progress of students struggling with reading comprehension.
Get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter
“All English language arts, English language development, and transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first through eighth grade reading textbooks and materials shall be compliant with the science of reading,” the bill introduced in Congress states. has been written. Education Higher Education Commission in February.
If educators wish to use materials that do not align with the science of reading, schools will be required to request a waiver. It is supported by 12 Democrats and two Republicans in the state Legislature.
A December 2023 policy brief by EdVoice, Decoding Dyslexia CA, and Families In Schools found that 60% of California students are not reading at grade level by third grade.
“As an educator, I know firsthand the struggles teachers face trying to get their students to know how to read,” Rubio said in a statement. “California’s teachers work tirelessly to improve the performance of each student. But in California, students, especially diverse students from low-income households, are failing.”
In the 2022-2023 school year, 31% of third-graders from low-income households were reading at grade level. Among students not considered low-income, 63% were reading at grade level.
This trend has remained steady for nearly a decade, with low-income students underperforming on reading tests every year since at least 2014.
“Historically, California has seen low levels of literacy,” said Eugenia Mora Flores, professor and assistant dean at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education. “Actually, that’s not surprising. We’ve definitely seen lower literacy rates in large school districts like L.A. Unified and other school districts that have students who aren’t performing at grade level. .”
To address low scores, lawmakers are asking teachers to use the science of reading. Some schools in the state are already using this method when teaching students. Some people use “whole language,” which focuses on the meaning of words rather than breaking them down into smaller parts.
This is different from reading science, which relies on phonics and encourages students to learn how letter combinations are pronounced in order to decipher words based on spelling.
“[The science of reading] “This is the recognition that children can read if they memorize the letters, make the sounds, and gradually become fluent over time,” said Pedro, dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Education. Noguera said. “Everything in school is based on reading and writing, so if you’re not proficient in reading and writing by third grade, you’re in trouble. After you learn to read, you read to learn, right? If you don’t have it, you can’t do calculations.”
Noguera said mandates alone won’t solve California’s literacy problems unless we look at the bigger picture when it comes to teaching children to read.
“If you only focus on the science of reading and phonics, you’re missing the point,” Noguera said. “If you want your kids to become good readers, phonics alone won’t get them there. They need good books. They need a comprehensive approach to literacy. is required.”
“All English language arts, English language development, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first through eighth grade reading textbooks and materials shall be compliant with the science of reading,” the bill reads.
Dozens of states across the country already have laws mandating the science of reading.
Last year, Indiana mandated that schools utilize reading science by fall 2024. So do lawmakers in Michigan, Utah, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas and other states.
In a state with one of the lowest literacy rates in the nation, Mora-Flores said it will ultimately depend on how well the mandate is implemented across California.
“In some respects, [the bill] That can be seen as a good thing because it shows that at least we all need to make sure we give something to our children, and now it’s the policy Therefore, you are going to take responsibility for it,” Moraflores said. “On the other hand, it ultimately comes down to the quality of translation and implementation.”
This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
[ad_2]
Source link
