EVERY teacher, administrator and parent reads this article. For 30 years educators taught kids how to read using “whole language” instead of phonics. Lucy Calkins and friends made over $2 billion dollars selling this garbage to educators. Now 60% of students are functionally illiterate.

The Critical Need for Phonics in Teaching Reading: What Parents and Educators Must Know

In the realm of education, the methods used to teach children how to read significantly impact their academic futures. For over three decades, many educators relied primarily on the “whole language” approach, a strategy that emphasizes exposure to complete texts rather than systematic phonics instruction. This method gained widespread adoption largely due to influential figures like Lucy Calkins and her colleagues, who generated over $2 billion by promoting these teaching philosophies to schools and districts nationwide.

However, mounting evidence now shows that this approach has contributed to a troubling decline in literacy levels among students. Today, approximately 60% of students are classified as functionally illiterate, unable to confidently read and comprehend at grade level. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to reevaluate our literacy teaching strategies.

Parents, it is important to recognize that the responsibility does not solely rest on teachers. Instead, many of the issues stem from educational administrators who, perhaps influenced by financial incentives or outdated beliefs, persisted with ineffective methods. These decisions have had long-lasting consequences on student achievement.

The recent shift in California to embrace phonics-based instruction represents a promising step forward. This change aligns with overwhelming research supporting systematic phonics as the most effective way to teach reading skills. For a deeper understanding of the history and the challenges involved, I recommend exploring this detailed report: Sold a Story. Additionally, the story of California’s policy shift can be read here: CalMatters Article.

It is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to understand that adopting evidence-based literacy instruction, such as phonics, is essential to reversing current trends and ensuring that all students achieve reading proficiency. The future of our children’s literacy depends on it.