Sold a Story 13: The List
Mar 6, 2025
In a thought-provoking conversation, Christopher Peake, a co-reporter on the Sold a Story series and education policy expert, dives deep into Ohio's controversial reading curriculum laws. They discuss how Steubenville, once a model of reading success, faces challenges from new 'science of reading' lists. Peake reveals the surprising influence of EdReports on district choices and the complexities of balancing curriculum standards with the realities of implementation. The episode sheds light on the critical factors that impact effective reading instruction.
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States Lean On External Lists
- Ohio created a statewide list of reading programs labeled "aligned with the science of reading" but did not review efficacy studies itself.
- The state relied on other states' lists and EdReports as shortcuts to quickly populate its approved programs.
EdReports Became The De Facto Gatekeeper
- EdReports grew quickly as a curriculum-review nonprofit and became highly influential with a red/yellow/green rating system.
- Nearly 2,000 districts use its reviews and publishers revise products in response to its ratings.
Standards Alignment ≠ Science Of Reading
- EdReports was designed to assess alignment with Common Core standards, not to enforce the science of reading or evaluate program efficacy.
- That methodological focus can let curricula that include disproven "cueing" strategies pass its review.