health
Reversing the Reading Recession
Our nation’s schools are failing to teach our children to read, and a new report shows that the learning loss began more than a decade ago, well before COVID-19. Fortunately, the same report found that some districts have reversed the decline through tried-and-true teaching methods. Now we need the political will to implement those reforms nationally.
TL;DR
- A report from Harvard and Stanford shows a reading learning loss in schools starting in 2013, predating COVID-19.
- The learning loss between 2017 and 2019 was as significant as the loss during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
- The decline is blamed on the dismantling of test-based accountability, previously supported by Presidents Bush and Obama.
- Standardized testing during its implementation led to improved reading skills and decreased racial disparities.
- Teachers unions' backlash against standardized testing prompted President Obama to largely abandon the initiative.
- Some school districts have reversed learning declines using established teaching methods.
- There is a call for national implementation of successful reform methods.