New York overhauls how it teaches reading English

More than half of students in grades 3 through 8 are not reading fluently, prompting New York City to require schools to change the way they teach next school year.

Mr. David C. Banks, Director of the New York Department of Education, made the announcement earlier this week. Accordingly, the way reading is taught in the city's public schools has changed 180 degrees, from teaching children to use visual clues to guess words to teaching phonics-based reading.

The old way of teaching reading was deemed unscientific and "flawed" by the head of New York's education sector.

According to Mr. Banks, many places have similar situation. In the city of Detroit, 91% of students at all levels are not proficient in reading, while Chicago is 80%. In New York, if students of color and Hispanic students are counted separately, the reading proficiency rate is both above 63%.

Mr. Banks said this had many consequences and cited 70% of adults arrested by police having reading ability below the 4th grade level.

Over the next two years, the city's 32 school districts with more than 700 schools will adopt one of three reading curricula, but all must follow the same methodology.

This is a big change because in the past principals were allowed to decide on their own teaching methods. This is considered the overhaul of reading instruction in New York City since the early 2000s.

Reading is an important skill to teach children. Photo: Gogreenva
Reading is an important skill to teach children. Photo: Gogreenva

The New York Department of Education's plan received support from the teachers' union but was opposed by many principals.

"We don't believe that adopting a single curriculum is the way to achieve this important city goal," said Henry Rubio, head of the principals' association.

Some teachers fear major changes often come with inadequate training.

However, Mr Banks believes the changes will make things easier. Teacher training will begin in mid-May, lasting through the summer so they can return to school in the fall fully prepared.

Binh Minh (According to CBS News)