California is set to enhance its reading curriculum with a new law promoting phonics-based instruction in elementary and middle schools, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
California has taken a significant step toward transforming its reading curriculum with the recent signing of a bill by Governor Gavin Newsom, aimed at promoting phonics-based instruction in elementary and middle school classrooms.
The new legislation mandates training for school principals and reading specialists in the “science of reading,” a literacy instruction method that emphasizes vocabulary, comprehension, and phonetic decoding over the traditional sight-word approach. This method has shown promising results in improving reading scores in states like Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as in districts such as Los Angeles Unified, which adopted phonics-based strategies several years ago.
In addition to training, the law updates the state’s approved list of textbooks, flashcards, and other reading materials to align with phonics-based methodologies.
This initiative is part of a broader suite of literacy reforms, which includes mandatory dyslexia screenings and the implementation of universal transitional kindergarten. Experts believe these combined efforts will significantly reshape how children in California learn to read, potentially leading to improved test scores.
Marshall Tuck, chief executive of the advocacy group EdVoice and a former candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, expressed optimism about the new law. “California has one of the best literacy policy frameworks in the country right now,” he stated. “We worked very hard on this and we’re thrilled to get to this point. Now we just have to see it through.”
Unlike previous attempts to introduce phonics into classrooms, which faced considerable opposition, the new law passed the Legislature unanimously and encountered minimal resistance. Past efforts were met with pushback from English learner advocates and the California Teachers Association, who argued that phonics-based instruction primarily benefits students fluent in English and that teachers should have the flexibility to choose their reading programs.
However, support for the current bill emerged after adjustments were made, including provisions for reading materials in languages other than English and making phonics-based instruction optional rather than mandatory. While the state encourages schools to adopt the new approach, local school boards retain the authority to decide whether to implement it.
Todd Collins, an organizer of the California Reading Coalition and a former Palo Alto Unified school board member, noted the importance of this shift. “What does this all mean? It means we’ll see,” he said. “But I’m hopeful. I think most school districts will get the message that they need to improve early literacy.”
A survey conducted by Collins’ group in 2022 revealed that 80% of California school districts were not utilizing a phonics-based approach to reading instruction. However, this trend is changing, with some of the state’s largest districts adopting science-of-reading strategies and reporting positive outcomes. For instance, Los Angeles Unified experienced a 5.5 percentage point increase in English language arts test scores since implementing a phonics-based curriculum in 2022. Other districts, including San Francisco Unified, Fresno Unified, and Long Beach Unified, have also reported improvements.
According to the latest Nation Report Card scores, California’s reading scores are comparable to the national average and have been gradually improving since the pandemic. Last year, 49% of students met or exceeded the state’s English language arts standards, a significant increase from the previous year, although still below pre-pandemic levels.
Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, a Democrat from West Covina and co-author of the bill, has been a strong advocate for the transition to phonics. A former elementary teacher, Rubio believes the new law will benefit both educators and students. “It’s hard for teachers to see their kids feel defeated and frustrated,” she remarked. “Now they’ll be equipped to really help their students succeed.”
Rubio’s motivation for authoring the bill stems in part from her younger brother’s educational struggles. He was mistakenly placed in special education and never learned to read properly, which led to his disengagement from school and eventual dropout in ninth grade. “I know how much it means to learn to read. It can shape someone’s whole life,” she emphasized. “That’s why we stuck with this.”
In June, Governor Newsom also allocated $200 million in the state budget for training teachers in the science of reading, a move expected to provide sufficient resources to train every K-3 teacher in California. Credential programs are already incorporating this approach into their training for future educators.
Tuck from EdVoice highlighted the importance of a smooth rollout for the new policy in schools. “We can celebrate today, but tomorrow it’s back to work,” he said, emphasizing the need for ongoing support for teachers as they adapt to this significant curriculum change.
Source: Original article