Search Results for: not simple not settled

Education, Educational Research, Grit, growth mindset, reading, science, Science of Reading

Understanding “Science” as Not Simple, Not Settled: Meta-Analysis Edition

A powerful but often harmful relationship exists among research/science, mainstream media, and public policy. One current example of that dynamic is the “science of reading” (SOR) movement that is driving reading legislation and policy in more than 30 states (see HERE and HERE). Mauren Aukerman, who has posted two of three planned posts on media … Continue reading Understanding “Science” as Not Simple, Not Settled: Meta-Analysis Edition →

Education, literacy, reading, Science of Reading

LitCon 2022: The State of the Reading War: Not Simple, Not Settled [UPDATE]

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Announcement LitCon: National K-8 Literacy & Reading Recovery Conference (January 29 – February 5, 2022, Columbus, OH) Session Type: Spotlight Continued Engagement Session Schedule:  Thurday, February 3, 2022, 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm est Session Strand:  Reading Recovery Session Title:  TBD Description:   Topics:  Presenters:  Sam Bommarito and Paul Thomas Featured Speaker The State of the Reading War: Not Simple, … Continue reading LitCon 2022: The State of the Reading War: Not Simple, Not Settled [UPDATE] →

Bicycling, Education, literacy, reading, Science of Reading, Teaching

How Do We Know?: Not Simple, Not Settled

In the early to mid-1980s, I entered the world of serious recreational cycling. I had been an athlete throughout my childhood and teen years, but found myself sedentary and out of shape in the first few years of my career as a high school English teacher. Road cycling wasn’t the most inviting of sports, being … Continue reading How Do We Know?: Not Simple, Not Settled →

Education, education reform, Educational Research, literacy, reading, Science of Reading

Is Reading a “Guessing Game”?: Reading Theory as a Debate, Not Settled Science

The word “theory” is a technical term in the sciences that doesn’t mean “guessing.” “Theory” is not “hypothesis,” even as “hypothesis” isn’t really guessing either (maybe it is an educated guess). Yet, average people tend to use “theory” as just a guess. That tension between laypeople and scientists is central to many problem with attempting … Continue reading Is Reading a “Guessing Game”?: Reading Theory as a Debate, Not Settled Science →

Education, Educational Research, literacy, reading, science, Science of Reading

The Ends Do Not Justify the Means in the Lives and Education of Children

17 September 2020 turned out to be a day of disinformation about education in the U.S. The White House launched another assault on education (not a surprise), and the International Literacy Association offered (for a fee) “Making Sense of the Science of Reading.” The latter is disappointing from a powerful and influential professional organization because … Continue reading The Ends Do Not Justify the Means in the Lives and Education of Children →

Education, education reform, Poverty, race, racism, Testing, VAM

Lessons Never Learned: From VAM to SOR

The US is in its fifth decade of high-stakes accountability education reform. A cycle of education crisis has repeated itself within those decades, exposing a very clear message: We are never satisfied with the quality of our public schools regardless of the standards, tests, or policies in place. The sixteen years of the George W. … Continue reading Lessons Never Learned: From VAM to SOR →

Education, reading, Science of Reading

The Reading Puzzle and the Media’s Caricature Blame Game

As an aging adult, I have returned with mature gusto to childhood things—comic books, Lego, and puzzles. Puzzles are, like Lego, incredibly satisfying, and I have discovered a wonderful puzzle company, Magic Puzzle Company, that combines fascinating original art with its own version of “magic”; once the main puzzle is completed, you can move sections, … Continue reading The Reading Puzzle and the Media’s Caricature Blame Game →

Education, education reform, reading, Science of Reading

Which Is Valid, SOR Story or Scholarly Criticism?: Checking for the “Science” in the “Science of Reading”

From late November of 2022 through late February 2023, I have (or will have) presented at 6 major literacy conferences, both national and state level. Two dominant literary issues have been curriculum/book bans and the “science of reading” (SOR) movement. A few important patterns occurred with the latter. Many teachers are overwhelmed and discouraged about … Continue reading Which Is Valid, SOR Story or Scholarly Criticism?: Checking for the “Science” in the “Science of Reading” →

Education, Teacher Autonomy, Teaching

The Anti-Teacher (and Sexist) Roots of Rejecting Teacher Autonomy

One challenge of doing public work and advocacy addressing education, education reform, and teachers/teaching is framing clear and accessible messages that avoid being simplistic and misleading. Since I am in my fifth year of challenging the overly simplistic and misleading “science of reading” (SOR) movement, I have attempted to carefully craft some direct and brief … Continue reading The Anti-Teacher (and Sexist) Roots of Rejecting Teacher Autonomy →