Sold a Story 14: The Cuts
Aug 21, 2025
The podcast delves into the fallout from federal funding cuts to educational research, spotlighting the crucial role of the Institute of Education Sciences. It shares poignant personal stories of job loss and uncertainty among educational researchers amidst political upheaval. The discussion also tackles the historical conflicts between scientific research and educational practices in reading instruction. Listen for insights on the future of literacy and the urgent need for reform in educational methods.
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Gutted IES Staff Leave Under Protest
- Institute of Education Sciences staff were publicly laid off amid protests and somber goodbyes.
- Many employees returned to collect personal items while supporters held signs outside.
Federal Funding Spawned Big Science
- Federal investment after WWII created 'big science' and enabled university-based research via grants.
- That long-term federal support was essential to the birth of the modern science of reading.
Health Agency Sparked Reading Instruction Research
- NIH funded early reading-disability research because adults couldn't read medication directions.
- Reed Lyon then started a program at NICHD to study reading instruction conditions and timing.