MPR News with Angela Davis

Teaching teachers how to teach reading

Only 38 percent of Minnesota fourth graders and 34 percent of eighth graders are considered proficient readers. Part of the problem may be how kids are being taught to read.

Research shows that an emphasis on phonics is the best way for children to become skilled readers, but scientifically debunked approaches to reading instruction that encourage word guessing are still being used in many schools.

Researchers and educators talk about the way children should be taught to read and why that information isn't always making its way into the classroom.

Guests:

Elizabeth Shockman, MPR News education reporter — read her latest report on reading here

Emily Hanford, APM Reports reporter and producer

Kate Walsh, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality

David Parker, vice president of research and development for Serve Minnesota

Additional resources:

Decoding Dyslexia MN

The Reading League

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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