A person tells a story about debunking a blog claiming to be research. They highlight the challenge of accepting non-research sources as evidence in the science of reading. They suggest the need for a system to vet instructional programs, similar to the FDA for educational practices. The What Works clearing house is mentioned but criticized for focusing on what doesn't work instead of providing solid research-based approaches.
Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion about reading and math with Dr. Matthew Burns. He is well-known for his research in reading instruction, including research on the effectiveness of the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. He has also published research on math interventions. He gives a brief history of reading instruction and explains how ideas about how to teach reading became pervasive despite lacking scientific evidence. They then move on to discuss parallels with math instruction, which is the focus of the episode.
A noticeable shift is happening in reading, with educators and policymakers now recognizing the importance of phonics and other principles from the science of reading. Math has not received the same level of attention as reading, despite being extremely important. Anna asks Matt to discuss what turned things around for reading and to offer suggestions for how we might create a similar shift for math.
The resource page for this episode includes studies mentioned in the episode and resources for helping children develop automaticity with math facts.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/ep-20-transcript
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.annastokke.com/ep-20-resources
MUSIC
Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it
Podington Bear – Lakeside Path
Blue Dot Sessions – General Inamorata, The Gran Dias, Tarte Tatin, Thannoid
Website: www.annastokke.com
X: @rastokke
Threads: @rastokke37
Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social