Concerned about quality of reading instruction, Legislature asks SED to define best practices

helping students recognize that words like black and thick have digraphs (consonant blends) - bl, ck and th. Once children can recognize those patterns, they are on their way to reading the word.

Strong recommends that school districts form "research-practice partnerships" with BOCES and institutions of higher education to ensure they are using approaches consistent with the science of reading. Also important are high-quality curricular resources, instructional coaching and peer collaboration, he said.

The role of school boards

School boards have an important role in improving reading, according to Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality. "Given the low levels of literacy proficiency, school boards need to increase their oversight and support for literacy instruction that is aligned to the research," Dr. Peske said in an email to On Board.

"I agree that school boards have a critical role in improving reading instruction and results," said NYSSBA President Sandy Ruffo. "The question that every school board should be asking is: Are our teaching methods consistent with the science of reading, especially at the PK-3 level? Also: What investments in training and resources are needed to ensure that students are reading on grade level? We are also hearing that principals have concerns about the quality of students' writing. School boards are accountable for results, and we need to ensure that each high school graduate is a literate person. So it's very appropriate for school board members to be asking questions about reading and writing instruction."

Peske added: "There is too much at stake for children for school boards to stand by."