StickWithANose

It’s hard to discern the validity of the “research” being referenced in this article, but the approach to literacy education it details points toward some pretty sound pedagogy. Using a thematic approach allows for a flexibility in curriculum development that helps to keep students engaged and interested in learning, and [despite the stupidity of the reading wars] the best approach to literacy education is a balanced methodology that teaches students phonic skills and sight vocabulary.

From the Tennessean:

More preschoolers from low-income families have the reading skills they need to enter kindergarten because of a local literacy program, research released Friday shows.

The United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, which funds Read to Succeed, announced that 99.4 percent of students in the program were prepared to begin kindergarten this fall. In 2004, when the program was in its infancy, 33 percent of preschoolers tested as ready.

Local leaders say the results are significant because reading readiness in kindergarten can affect how children perform as they get older and determine whether they graduate. More than 1,400 children ages 3 to 5 were enrolled in the program this year, said Tony Heard, chairman of the United Way board…

Read to Succeed uses themes to teach sounds and words. For instance, if the theme is “snow,” children hear stories about winter weather and learn related vocabulary words.Organizers attribute its success to teacher training and literacy coordinators who monitor lessons for quality, said Phil Orr, senior vice president of United Way’s community and investor relations.

What is of particular interest is how out of sync this program seems to be with current education discourse. In today’s schools of “drill and kill”, scripted nightmares like KIPP are all the rage. Putting in the necessary resources [human and structural] and utilizing solid pedagogical methods fosters student learning, period. The problem is that Americans, to quote Buiter, “believe in Santa Claus.” We want well-functioning public services, but we don’t want to pay for it.