The Road to Literacy: What Are We Doing to Achieve It?
Reading achievement is not just a fundamental skill; it is a gateway to a world of knowledge and opportunities. In today's fast-paced world, the ability to read and comprehend is more critical than ever, shaping not only academic success but also opening doors to endless opportunities. The state of Massachusetts has been the only state to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) despite facing obstacles. On the other hand, New Mexico has been the state with the least improvement and continues to be in decline. In this blog post, we explore the trends of reading achievement in education and its profound impact on students’ academic success and prospects in the United States.
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) suggests that the reading abilities of U.S. fourth graders do not reach a globally regarded standard of excellence. Only a third of 4th-graders met or surpassed proficiency levels, while 64% reached at least basic standards, per the National Assessment of Educational Progress metrics. In response to lagging proficiency, educators utilized innovative early literacy programs focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading fluency. These foundational programs, such as the Massachusetts Literacy Launch, help lay a solid foundation for reading success targeting children aged 3 reaching up to third grade. Other strategies include comprehensive literacy programs that integrate reading, writing, and speaking skills to boost reading achievements, enhancing both language and communication. Activities like guided and independent reading further enhance engagement and comprehension, enabling students to apply their skills effectively. Lastly, reading partnerships and mentoring programs offer personalized support to foster confidence and motivation in students' reading abilities.
Countries in Europe and Asia have implemented successful programs that led to significant improvements in reading achievement and academic performance. For example, Singaporean students are noted as the top readers in the world where more than 35% of 4th grade students scoring above the international advanced benchmark compared to a global median of 7%. Singapore implemented strategies like Comprehensive Teacher Training, which has a strong focus on early childhood education that promotes a culture that values reading and education. Furthermore, a strategy called School-based Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) targets students in 3rd and 4th grade with dyslexia by emphasizing phonics, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension, among other things. This example serves as an inspiration for educators and policymakers worldwide, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches to improve literacy and education.
In conclusion, the importance of reading achievements in education cannot be overstated. It is the collective responsibility of educators, parents, and communities to foster strong reading skills in children, and we must continue working together to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education. By implementing effective strategies and programs, we can empower students to become confident and proficient readers, setting them on the path to success in school and beyond.
Join us in this mission and follow ACESWorld on all platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) to stay informed on the latest trends and strategies in reading achievements and become an advocate for literacy in your community.
References
Bécares, L., & Priest, N. (2015). Understanding the Influence of Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Class on Inequalities in Academic and Non-Academic Outcomes among Eighth-Grade Students: Findings from an Intersectionality Approach. PLOS ONE, 10(10), e0141363. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141363
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024, February 5). Healey Driscoll Administration Celebrates Literacy Launch Initiative. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-celebrates-literacy-launch-initiative
Kuhfeld, M., Lewis, K., & Peltier, T. K. (2022). Reading achievement declines during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from 5 million U.S. students in grades 3–8. Reading and Writing, 36(2), 245–261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-022-10345-8
Massachusetts: A Systems Approach To Improving Reading. (n.d.). Shanker Institute. https://www.shankerinstitute.org/blog/massachusetts-systems-approach-improving-reading
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (n.d.). Mass Literacy - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. https://www.doe.mass.edu/massliteracy/
Mulcahy, E., Bernardes, E., & Baars, D. S. (n.d.). [The relationship between reading age, education and life outcomes]. The Relationship Between Reading Age, Education and Life Outcomes. https://cfey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-relationship-between-reading-age-education-and-life-outcomes.pdf
NAEP 12th-Grade Achievement Levels - Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. (2020, November 9). Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. https://www.equityinhighered.org/indicators/secondary-school-completion/naep-12th-grade-achievement-levels/
NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment Results: Reading and Mathematics. (n.d.). https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/ltt/2022/
NAEP Reading: National Student Group Scores and Score Gaps. (n.d.). https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/nation/groups/?grade=4
NAEP Reading: State Achievement-Level Results. (n.d.). https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/states/achievement/?grade=4
National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). Fast Facts: Long-term trends in reading and mathematics achievement (38). https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=38
Raising A Reader Massachusetts. (n.d.). Barr Foundation. https://www.barrfoundation.org/partners/raising-a-reader-massachusetts
Reading Universe | Behind the Numbers: How Is the U.S. Doing in. . .. (2023, August 11). Reading Universe. https://readinguniverse.org/article/explore-teaching-topics/big-picture/behind-the-numbers-how-is-the-us-doing-teaching-children-to-read
Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL). (n.d.). REL Ask A REL | What does the research say about the relationship between reading proficiency by the end of third grade and academic achievement, college retention, college and career readiness, incarceration, and high school dropout? https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/rel/Products/Region/midwest/Ask-A-REL/10268
Research-Based Principles for Improving the Reading Achievement of America’s Children | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/about-reading/articles/research-based-principles-improving-reading-achievement-americas
State of the States: Five Policy Actions to Strengthen Implementation of the Science of Reading. (n.d.). National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). https://www.nctq.org/publications/State-of-the-States-2024-Five-Policy-Actions-to-Strengthen-Implementation-of-the-Science-of-Reading
Strong Performance by Singapore Students in Reading Literacy Despite COVID-19 Pandemic: International Study. (n.d.). MOE. https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/press-releases/20230516-strong-performance-by-singapore-students-in-reading-literacy-despite-covid-19-pandemic-international-study
Support programmes available for small groups of students with dyslexia. (n.d.). MOE. https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/forum-letter-replies/20180326-support-programmes-available-for-small-groups-of-students-with-dyslexia
Three important reasons why we can’t ignore early literacy. (2018, January 8). Reading Partners. https://readingpartners.org/blog/three-important-reasons-cant-ignore-early-literacy/
Toste, J. R., Didion, L., Peng, P., Filderman, M. J., & McClelland, A. M. (2020). A Meta-Analytic Review of the Relations Between Motivation and Reading Achievement for K–12 Students. Review of Educational Research, 90(3), 420–456. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320919352
Trends in Reading Performance on the 2022 Nation’s Report Card. (n.d.). https://www.nagb.gov/naep/understanding-nations-report-card-2022-trends-research/reading.html
United States Sustainable Development Report 2021. (n.d.). https://us-states.sdgindex.org/map/indicators/reading-achievement/ratings