1: The Problem

Lee Gaul watches his daughter’s lessons during Zoom school and discovers a dismaying truth: She can't read. Little Zoe isn't the only one. Sixty-five percent of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient readers. Kids need to learn specific skills to become good readers, and in many schools, those skills are not being taught.

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Read: Transcript of this episode
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More: soldastory.org
En español: soldastory.es

Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

An important issue to be brought to light

Every parent and teacher needs to listen to this podcast. Its important and the problem Emily addresses continues to negatively effect students everyday. Our children need to know how to read!

So true

I'm a retired teacher who still taught phonics using decodable books within this program. Because I was a successful teacher my principal allowed me to continue to teach using a directed reading approach. As the years went by, my principal retired and we were forced to teach the Caulkins writing program with fidelity. An hour of self directed writing with no accountability. No scoring using a rubric. Only "positive coaching", no pointing out any negatives. I found my students weren't successful. It was one of the many reasons I left teaching.

Everyone must listen to this!!!

I loved this podcast. It was so profound! Our children have been miseducated for years. Many are adults who are struggling and after listening to this I know why. Great information for all parents and educators.