The Truth About Reading Instruction: What Every Educator and Parent Needs to Know
For three decades, the predominant approach to teaching children how to read has been centered around “whole language,” a method that emphasizes immersion and meaning over foundational skills. However, recent insights reveal a troubling history behind this widespread strategy.
A significant turning point occurred when influential educators like Lucy Calkins and her colleagues promoted whole language, generating upwards of two billion dollars in revenue through training programs and educational materials. Despite these financial successes, the results have been disappointing. Today, approximately 60% of students in the United States are considered functionally illiterate—unable to confidently read and comprehend at their grade level.
It’s important to understand that this isn’t solely a failure of teachers. Rather, many educators were misled by administrators who, influenced by compelling marketing and financial incentives, adopted and mandated this ineffective reading approach. The real culprits are the system-level decisions that prioritized profit and trends over proven educational science.
For those seeking a better way forward, the good news is that change is happening. California has recently taken a significant step by adopting systematic phonics instruction, aligning with decades of research showing that phonics is essential for developing reading skills.
If you want to explore this issue further and understand the full story, I recommend reading the detailed investigation “Sold a Story,” which delves into the histories and implications of these educational strategies.
Learn more about the shift towards phonics and what it means for literacy education:
California’s Adoption of Phonics: A New Beginning
For an in-depth look at the history and consequences of past educational practices, check out:
Sold a Story: The Hidden History of Reading Education
As parents, educators, and policymakers, it’s crucial we recognize the importance of evidence-based teaching methods. The future of literacy for our children depends on it.