New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that the state’s public schools will adopt a new reading curriculum that aims to improve students’ literacy skills and close the achievement gap. The new curriculum, called Reading for All, is based on the latest research and best practices in reading instruction, and will be implemented in grades K-8 starting from the next academic year.
Reading for All is a comprehensive and rigorous reading curriculum that covers all aspects of literacy development, such as phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. The curriculum is aligned with the state’s learning standards and assessments, and provides teachers with clear guidance and resources to deliver effective and differentiated instruction to all students.
The curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of New York’s students, who speak more than 200 languages and come from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The curriculum includes a wide range of texts and genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and informational texts, that reflect the diversity and richness of the state’s communities. The curriculum also incorporates culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy, which aims to affirm and celebrate students’ identities and cultures, and foster critical thinking and social justice.
Why is Reading for All needed?
According to the latest results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, only 34% of New York’s fourth-graders and 32% of eighth-graders scored at or above the proficient level in reading in 2023. These scores are below the national average and show no significant improvement from the previous years. Moreover, the NAEP results reveal a persistent and wide achievement gap between different groups of students, such as those from low-income families, English learners, students with disabilities, and students of color.
Governor Hochul said that these results are unacceptable and that the state needs to take urgent action to improve the quality of reading instruction and ensure that all students have access to high-quality literacy education. She said that reading is the foundation of all learning and that every student deserves the opportunity to become a proficient and lifelong reader.
How will Reading for All be implemented?
The state’s education department will provide $500 million in funding to support the implementation of Reading for All in the state’s public schools. The funding will be used to purchase the curriculum materials, train teachers and administrators, and monitor the progress and outcomes of the initiative. The state will also partner with various stakeholders, such as universities, research institutes, literacy experts, and community organizations, to provide additional support and resources to the schools.
The state will also conduct a pilot program in 100 schools across the state, starting from this month, to test and refine the curriculum before the full-scale implementation. The pilot schools will receive intensive coaching and feedback from the state’s literacy specialists and will share their experiences and best practices with other schools.
Governor Hochul said that she hopes that Reading for All will transform the state’s education system and create a culture of literacy and excellence in every school. She said that she believes that every student in New York has the potential to succeed and that Reading for All will help them achieve their academic and personal goals.