The Science of Reading, Same Old One Size Fits All Song

 

The titans of industry are making the rounds again, giving out campaign contributions and selling the same old "one size fits all" notions to schools, teachers, and parents. Armed with test score data, and selling the sky is falling. Smaller class sizes, no no, more Literacy specialists, no no, more Special education teachers, no no, maybe more tutors, no no, everything you need comes in a box with a special price just for your school. “See the world through the eyes of your inner child. The eyes that sparkle in awe and amazement as they see love, magic, and mystery in the most ordinary things.” -Henna Sohail

If you find yourself believing the hype of these Ed Reformers and policymakers selling high-stakes testing, saying the test is the curriculum, claiming their data reveals all? If they start talking about "The Science of Reading," know this, they have no magic; they can and will bore children. Leave our teachers wondering why their science assembly line keeps breaking down. They have been doing it for decades. WALK AWAY!

They are clueless data junkies, chasing all the wrong numbers, and they are the ones far from our classrooms.

See every lesson through the eyes of children,

Dr. Jesse P. Turner

CCSU Literacy Center Director If you like to listen to the song that inspired my walk in the snow today? It is Natalie Merchant's Wonder > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zpYFAzhAZY <

"People see me I'm a challenge to your balance,

I'm over your heads, how I confound you,

And astound you,

To know, I must be one of the seven wonders,

God's own creation,

And as far as they see,
They can offer

Me no explanation,
Ooo, I believe, fate smiled"

Finding the magic means finding the right books.