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SOLD A STORY
Episode 13: The List Steubenville became a model of reading success. Then a new law in Ohio put it all at risk. In this episode, we look at the "science of reading" lists some states are making, why the program Steubenville has been using for 25 years isn't getting on many of these lists, and the surprising power of one curriculum review group. This is the third of three new episodes from Sold a Story. ▻ Listen to the episode now ▻ Read Christopher Peak on EdReports
When schools buy new reading programs, they look to EdReports. But some of its reviews don’t line up with science.  Elementary schools are racing to replace their reading curricula as part of a national movement to implement teaching methods based in cognitive science. But figuring out which materials measure up is complicated and time-consuming. So, state education departments have been turning to EdReports, a nonprofit organization that calls itself a "Consumer Reports" for education. EdReports says that it has "always" checked for the science of reading in its reviews of instructional materials. But an investigation by APM Reports has found that its track record in that area is uneven. In the decade since it launched, EdReports has given high marks to several programs that use discredited techniques to teach reading. At the same time, it hasn't given its seal of approval to other programs that have demonstrated their effectiveness through rigorous studies. ▻ Read the story |