Sold a Story
APM Reports
Millions of kids can't read well. Scientists have known for decades how children learn to read, but many schools don’t know about the research. They buy teacher training and books that are rooted in a disproven idea. In Sold a Story, Emily Hanford investigates four authors and a publishing company that have made millions selling this idea.
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109 snips
Oct 20, 2022 • 51min
2: The Idea
Sixty years ago, Marie Clay developed a way to teach reading she said would help kids who were falling behind. They’d catch up and never need help again. Today, her program remains popular, and her theory about how people read is at the root of a lot of reading instruction in schools. But Marie Clay was wrong. Read: Emily Hanford’s reading list Read: Transcript of this episode Watch: The story behind Sold a StoryOrganize: Sold a Story discussion guidesSupport: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.
86 snips
Oct 20, 2022 • 33min
1: The Problem
A father discovers his daughter can't read, exposing a stark reality: many fourth graders struggle with literacy. The podcast tackles the gaps in reading education, revealing how traditional teaching methods often fail, especially during the pandemic. It highlights a parent's journey to address inadequate instruction and confronts misconceptions about learning. The emotional impact of reading struggles on families is explored, showcasing personal stories that underscore systemic failures in public education. A compelling look at a national crisis in reading.
