Seeking Common Ground Using Common Sense: The Social Media Version of SOR: Myth vs. Reality PART TWO by Dr. Sam Bommarito
On April 27th, I made a presentation about the Social Media Version of SOR to a group of New Jersey educational leaders. This is the second part of a two-part series about what I have said to them and others this year. Here are some of my myth-busting points:
Myth- there is one and only one Science of Reading.
Reality- Many researchers are pushing back on the notion that there is only one science of reading. They use the term Sciences of Reading:
Link to Screen Capture article- LINK
Link to article in the screen capture– LINK.
Myth- Balanced Literacy caused the drop in reading scores.
Reality- there has never been a drop in reading scores. Reading Scores have remained flat for decades.
Link to the blog post in the screen capture LINK.
Myth- Balanced Literacy is not based on research. That means ending balanced literacy should be the first step in ending our reading problems.
Reality—Social media folks are using a strawman version of Balanced Literacy. However, Balanced Literacy has a strong research base when examined using the model the Pressleys created.
Link to the blog post in the screen capture above LINK.
Myth- Synthetic Phonics is the best and only approach to teaching phonics
Reality- Synthetic Phonics works for many, but not for all. There are many ways to teach phonics, and children need access to all the different methods.
Here is a link to the screen capture above LINK.
Myth- The “failed practices” from the past should be outlawed and replaced with SOR-based practices:
Reality- Done properly, many of the “failed” practices work. But even when they do, they are still outlawed. That is simply not right!
Here is the link to the article in the screen capture LINK
Myth brain research supports the use of many of the practices advocated by the social media gurus lobbying for their brand of SOR.
Reality: A growing body of evidence demonstrates that the SOR social media gurus have misinterpreted and misrepresented brain research. Look at ALL the research before drawing conclusions about brain research.
Here is the link to the screen capture above LINK.
Here is a link to the screen capture above LINK.
Myth: Reading Recovery has failed, its effects don’t stick, and it must be ended.
Reality: When ALL the research is considered, Reading Recovery has succeeded. The claim that its effects don’t stick has been debunked. The movement to end it is ill-advised.
Here is a link to the screen capture above LINK.
IN CONCLUSION-
I’m advocating for taking a centrist-based approach to reading. That means challenging folks from both sides (all sides) when they present inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information. That means doing some myth-busting. That means becoming more informed about all the issues. Folks like Bruce Howlett LINK, Jan Wasowicz LINK, Marc Seidenberg LINK, Rachel Gabriel LINK, Andy Johnson LINK, and Paul Thomas LINK can help you do that. So can reading Fact-checking the Science of Reading by Rob Tierney and P David Pearson LINK
Last week, I related the story of a special ed teacher. Several years ago, he was told that since he was in a whole language building, he must stop using the synthetic phonics methods his kids needed. That was just as wrong as today’s attempts to limit teachers by forbidding them to use meaning-based practices.
Different kids need different things!!!!
Today, we are in the midst of a media-driven frenzy to move to an exclusively code-based approach. In my five decades as an educator, I’ve seen the results of that kind of thinking. The result is a pendulum swing. BTW, when the pendulum eventually swings to the other extreme- using meaning-based approaches exclusively, the result will be yet another pendulum swing. The path to success in reading requires empowering teachers, not tying their hands LINK. In my opinion, the path to success requires us to do something we’ve never done before in the history of reading. That is to finally stop the pendulum in the middle and start using the best practices from all sides. Dare to dream!
Happy Reading and Writing.
Dr. Sam Bommarito (aka, the guy in the middle taking flak from all sides)
Copyright 2024 by Dr. Sam Bommarito. Views/interpretations expressed here are solely this author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other person or organization.