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 Shift in Reading Education: Why Phonics Matters

In the landscape of American education, the teaching of reading has undergone significant changes over the past several decades. For approximately thirty years, many schools adopted a “whole language” approach—an unstructured method that emphasizes immersion and meaning over the systematic teaching of phonics. While well-intentioned, this strategy has led to widespread struggles among students, with recent data indicating that nearly 60% of them are now functionally illiterate.

The push towards whole language was heavily promoted, with influential figures like Lucy Calkins and her colleagues spearheading the movement. Tragically, this approach was heavily financed; reports suggest that over $2 billion was invested in selling this method to educators across the country. Unfortunately, this investment did not translate into improved literacy rates—in fact, it coincided with a decline in reading proficiency.

It’s important to understand that the root of the problem often lies not with teachers, but with the decisions made by school administrators and policymakers. These leaders, convinced by these educational trends and robust marketing campaigns, implemented and mandated teaching methods that proved ineffective in fostering true literacy skills.

The good news is that change is on the horizon. States like California are beginning to recognize the importance of evidence-based strategies, with many now adopting phonics instruction as a core component of early reading programs. This shift marks a significant step toward rectifying past mistakes and helping more students become confident, capable readers.

For those interested in the complete story and the history behind these educational shifts, I recommend exploring in-depth reports such as “Sold a Story” from APM Reports, which provides an eye-opening look at how certain teaching methods were promoted—and the consequences they have had.

Let’s advocate for educational practices backed by solid research, ensuring our children are equipped with the skills they need for success.

Learn more about California’s move to embrace phonics here:
CalMatters Article on Phonics Adoption

And for context on how these methods were promoted and the impact they’ve had:
[Sold