In summary
More than half of the state’s students do not meet English proficiency levels. Many experts say one of the main reasons for this is the way reading is taught.
A new legislative bill introduced today would require all schools in California to use “The Science of Reading,” a phonics-based approach that research shows is a more effective way to teach reading. It will be mandatory for students to be taught how to read and write.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Rep. Blanca Rubio of West Covina and supported by Marshall Tuck, who ran for California’s superintendent of public instruction in 2018. Mr. Tuck previously served as head of a charter school network and is currently CEO of EdVoice. , an education policy organization.
Learn more about the legislators mentioned in this article
State House, District 48 (West Covina)
State House, District 48 (West Covina)
Working hours
2016—present
background
Board of Education / Teacher
Although many schools in California have already moved to a reading science approach, some still use what is known as balanced literacy or whole language, which emphasizes visual recognition of words in addition to phonics. I’m using. The battle over the best way to teach children to read and write is heated because the stakes are so high. Higher literacy skills are linked to higher graduation rates, better employment opportunities, the likelihood of incarceration, and the state’s overall economy.
Although research shows that phonics is a more effective approach to literacy, the so-called “reading wars” are far from over. Advocates for English learners are sometimes reluctant to embrace phonics, which emphasizes the pronunciation of words rather than visual memorization. This is because phonics may not take into account the unique language needs and skills of English learners. For example, your child may need more help with understanding and speaking English than with phonics.
Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together, an English language learner advocacy group, had not yet seen the bill and had no immediate comment.
Teachers’ unions also have a history of opposing laws that mandate specific teaching methods, particularly related to literacy. They argue that teachers should be free to use the approaches that are most effective for their students. The California Teachers Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, did not respond to a request for comment.
The bill would include training for teachers and participants in teacher preparation programs, as well as special consideration for English language learners.
Supporters say the bill is necessary because California’s literacy rate is dismal. Last year, only 43% of California’s third-graders were reading on grade level, according to the latest results from his Smarter Balanced test. Low-income students and Black and Latino students had particularly low scores.
English language arts scores declined slightly last year, even as states invested billions of dollars to help students recover from distance learning. Before the pandemic, just over half of California students were at grade level in English language arts.
As states move to require dyslexia screening in public schools, experts say teachers need to adopt a “science of reading” approach that emphasizes phonics.
English and math test scores remain low despite an influx of funding to address learning loss caused by the pandemic.
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