Tell State Lawmakers: Invest In High-Quality Reading Instruction

New York lawmakers must ensure that every student has access to evidence-based reading instruction and aligned, high-quality training for teachers.

For years, New York has faced a literacy crisis, with too many students reading below grade level due to disproven instructional practices. In response, New York City launched NYC Reads. Building off research and successes in other states, the initiative provided schools with evidence-based instruction and aligned professional learning. 

NYC Reads has been a tremendous success, delivering historic gains for students in just three years. But Albany lawmakers must now codify and expand evidence-based literacy instruction, so that ALL students across the state can benefit from these gains.

State lawmakers should require school districts to use curricular materials that they have vetted and confirmed to be high-quality, eliminating disparities between districts. In addition, prospective teachers should receive structured, explicit training in evidence-based literacy instruction. 

New York cannot afford to continue relying on disproven literacy approaches. Every student in our state deserves instruction grounded in the science of reading and delivered by well-trained educators.