In my own district, I’m seeing some positive movement. Our balanced literacy materials are on deck to be phased out come fall of 2023.
Yay!
But also - yikes!!
Grades K to 3 are what’s called a “critical window” or a “window of opportunity” for teaching phonics, the foundation for literacy on which the rest of the house stands.
So what about the third graders in my district? The ones who are just flipping from learn-to-read to read-to-learn window?
These are the students who have had low-quality materials their entire schooling, in addition to a pandemic. What is their reading level? Are they accessing the curriculum? Do caregivers even know to ask? (More often than not, they have to ask.) I hear little to no chatter about it despite #4 below but I do see a high level of response online when people mention my town’s pool situation. It’s unfortunate.
In my house, we have had a front-row seat to the hurt that happens when a child is not appropriately supported. I do not ever wish it upon anyone. Yet, statistical odds are, it very likely is.
That critical learn-to-read window (below) is only so long. Yet our education systems, as they currently stand, are incredibly slow to identify and support if left to their own devices.
Let’s be clear: based on the data below, there is no good way to say this, the system sucks. No district is immune, affluent town or not.
More specifically, the system is too often using low-quality materials.
The system does not do a very good job of identifying when it’s possible. (Um, see above.)
The system does not fund enough training and support for teachers. Also, teachers definitely should be paid more. Teachers work incredibly hard and are essential.
If you are a caregiver with even the smallest of suspicions that your child is struggling, it’s in your hands. I mean, does the data support putting it in the hands of the system’s?
No, it’s not at all easy; it just is. Here are some things to consider:
Put your concerns in writing and trigger district testing.
In parallel, seek an independent evaluation. The lead times for the latter are incredibly long, sometimes years. Yes, that’s right, YEARS. That window can and will close, making it much harder to support. The system doesn’t respond quickly to a crisis (educational or emotional). The system is like a giant slug without a rudder. Ever steered a slug? Me neither. You learn as you go.
Anyway, like it or not, our education system and its special education processes operate on their own timeline. 🐌🐌🐌
This is why I feel for the caregivers.
I feel for those third graders as well as K-2 and the 4-12. Change is layered and not easy, even positive change.
In the meantime, as a caregiver, you act. Resources are out there, including here. If you need more or have a question, share it as a comment below or contact us.
You are not alone.