S2-08. Behind the scenes of the National Reading Panel: Tim Shanahan

One of our most popular guests, Tim Shanahan, returns! In our most recent episode, he reminisces about the creation of the National Reading Panel in 1997 and the release of its subsequent groundbreaking report. He highlights how reading instruction has evolved and discusses how new research seems to be changing the landscape of the “reading wars” he thought were settled long ago.

Quotes:

“We continue to learn, and we continue to refine.”

“When people are trying to tell you how you should teach, I think you need to ask some real basic questions about what evidence supports those recommendations.”

Show notes:

• National Reading Panel Report
• The Review of Educational Research Journal
• ERIC, Educational Clearinghouse
• Shanahan on Literacy Blog
• What Works Clearinghouse

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Episode timestamps*
01:00: Celebrating the National Reading Panel Report 
02:00: Context and history of the National Reading Panel
11:00: The experiences of being a panel member
15:00: Reflections on the panel's work and its legacy
21:00: Current relevance of the nation reading panel report
25:00: Defining the term science within the context of reading and literacy research
35:00: If you were to do the national reading panel again, what would change?
44:00: Advice for Educators and Conclusion
*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute