Katie Herzog, guest host and a sharp commentator on education, interviews Emily Hanford, an investigative journalist known for her impactful series on reading instruction failures. They discuss alarming statistics revealing that 65% of American fourth graders struggle with reading. The conversation digs into the flawed, historical methods of teaching reading, and the revelations parents faced during the pandemic about their children's education. They also explore the systemic issues and the urgent need for effective, evidence-based teaching strategies.
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Corinne's Discovery
Corinne Adams discovered her son Charlie couldn't sound out words during Zoom kindergarten.
He was taught to guess words from pictures and first letters, impacting his reading ability.
insights INSIGHT
Widespread Reading Issues
The issue affects many children, as national reading tests show persistent low proficiency.
Socioeconomic disparities exacerbate the problem; some families can afford private tutoring.
insights INSIGHT
History of Reading Instruction
Historically, two main approaches existed: phonics and whole word methods.
Whole language emerged, prioritizing meaning over explicit phonics, using context clues.
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In 'Sold a Story,' Emily Hanford delves into the world of reading instruction, examining how certain methods, such as the Whole Language Approach, have become prevalent despite being disproven by scientific research. The series critiques influential figures and publishing companies that have profited from these methods, highlighting the impact on children's literacy.
For many parents, the last few years have been eye-opening, as they saw the education system in America crumble under the weight of the pandemic. School closures that went on far too long, ineffective zoom school for kids as young as kindergarten, and other stringent policies that we’re still just beginning to understand the devastating effects of. But like many things during the pandemic, COVID didn’t necessarily cause these structural breakdowns as much as it exposed just how broken the system was to begin with.
Nowhere is that more clear than in our episode today about why 65% of American fourth grade kids can barely read. And about how during the pandemic, parents, for the first time, came face to face with just how bad and ineffective the reading instruction in their kids’ classrooms is and started asking questions about why.
That is the subject of Emily Hanford's new podcast from American Public Media, Sold a Story, where she investigates the influential education authors who have promoted a flawed idea and a failed method for teaching reading to American kids. It’s an expose of how educators across the country came to believe in something that isn’t true and are now reckoning with the consequences – children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.
Today, guest host Katie Herzog talks to Emily about her groundbreaking reporting and what we can do to make things right.
Honestly with Bari Weiss 
