Evidence aligned reading instruction can right Michigan’s low literacy ranking
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer led with education as a priority in her Feb. 25 State of the State address because of the fierce urgency now. It should alarm all of us that Michigan ranks 44th in fourth grade reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. That’s lower than Mississippi and Louisiana, which historically lag on most indicators of success.
Rightly, the governor was careful to note that this crisis was not caused by any one party, district or person. For decades, schools of education, districts and publishers promoted approaches that were not aligned with the science of reading. Teachers and parents had little choice but to trust the system.
Today, thankfully, evidence shows that problems of low literacy can be fixed.
What is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading is a body of more than 50 years of interdisciplinary research – cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience and education, much of it federally funded, that explains how children learn to read.
A decade ago, Mississippi was synonymous with last place in education rankings. In 2013, it ranked at or near the bottom nationally in fourth-grade reading on the NAEP. The state leaders, supported by pioneer and native Jim Barksdale, implemented sweeping education legislation that became known as the Mississippi Miracle. The state moved to evidence-based, phonics-aligned reading instruction, invested in teacher training and literacy coaches and screened K-3 students for deficiencies.
States that have aligned policy, teacher training and curriculum to this research are beginning to experience gains that can be measured.
The state is now in the top-tier in fourth-grade reading. Mississippi is not a wealthy state. Michigan is. Mississippi spends less on education than Michigan. What the state did was align policy to research and stayed the course. It took grit and political courage. If I were a betting man, I would bet on Mississippi to extraordinarily rise in a generation.
Meanwhile, literacy is not just an academic benchmark. It may be the single most important currency we have in the modern world. Incredibly, Michigan competes economically with nations like Sweden and Poland, yet it is near the bottom in teaching children how to read.
What’s more, we know low literacy is correlated with societal challenges: poverty, incarceration, lifetime earning ability, and long-term health outcomes.
As Whitmer said in her address: “Struggling students grow up anxious about getting called on in class, become increasingly disengaged, and ultimately struggle to fill out mortgage applications, pay bills or apply for a job.”
She understands the next administration can push this initiative forward. “No matter who becomes governor after me, they’ll have to continue this work because simultaneously, our economy demands every child possesses strong reading, writing and critical thinking skills than ever before,” Whitmer said.
Notably, just two days after Whitmer threw down the gauntlet, The Reading League Michigan held its third annual conference at Lansing Community College. The conference focused on the science of reading and instructional practices as well as leadership and systems as relates to ensuring implementation of evidence-based practices. Its mission is to empower all Michigan educators to ensure all students become proficient readers and writers.
“Never in my tenure in education have I had so much hope for the future of literacy in our state,” TRLMI President Rebecca Miles said. “With the incredible partnerships happening across the state such as The Reading League Michigan, the Michigan Department of Education, Independent School Districts/Regional Education Service Agencies and their supporting networks, Michigan is positioned to propel literacy forward at a rate not seen before.”
Miles called for policymakers not to overlook the collective work of the institutions supporting the Whitmer’s literacy initiatives.
So, where do we go from here? For starters, we can:
Protect funding for teacher instruction tied to research.
Ensure instructional materials match evidence, not ideology.
Track results with transparency.
Close the gender gap intentionally, particularly for boys.
I have spent years writing about education reform and literacy – and, yes, helping national thought leaders articulate why the science matters. The roadmap exists. The states making progress are proof.
Our state has always led everyone else in technology and innovation. That’s our DNA. We know how to compete. There is no reason to believe we cannot pivot right now.
In Whitmer’s words, “We must change to win.”
Byron McCauley is a regional columnist for USAToday Co. Contact him at [email protected]; call 517-267-1307.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: science of reading low literacy michigan
