Literacy
If We Don't Teach Culturally Affirming Books, We Might as Well Ban Them
I closed my eyes, waiting anxiously for Mr. T to announce today’s American History lesson, hoping that we would be moving on to a new topic. I cringed as I heard the familiar phrase, “We’re going to...
Literacy
How Louisiana Created a More Equitable Reading Test
Imagine you are a high school student taking a U.S. history class. You spend the year studying the American Revolution, Civil War, and Great Depression. You show up for the final exam feeling...
Literacy
The Surprising State Where Kids Are Making a Reading Comeback
While kids across the country still struggle to read due to pandemic school closures, hopeful signs are emerging in Tennessee. Why there? When Brittany Ferrell’s son first came to her in Brownsville,...
Literacy
5 Summer Reading Tips to Set Your Students Up for Success
As we head into summer, I’m so excited to read that tall stack of books that’s been waiting for me. And I’m encouraging my fourth grade students to get to the library and build their own summer...
Literacy
Science of Literacy and Dual Language Advocates Can Work Together, But It’s Harder Than You Think
Early this year, the Illinois Right to Read Act looked like a no-brainer. As originally written, the bill pushed teacher colleges, districts and schools to pay greater attention to phonics and...
CRT
Forget Bruno. We Need to Talk About Shakespeare.
The manufactured educational culture wars were in full swing this week as Florida banned 54 math books citing, among other reasons, the inclusion of critical race theory and social-emotional learning...
