Reading Instruction in Elementary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are piloting a systematic phonics instruction program this year for grades K-2 and are going to expand it to all schools next year. This is to do in tandem with Benchmark.

Why they chose Benchmark when it doesn't follow the science of reading is anyone's guess.

Is there any data that was collected when they ere evaluating different curriculums and is that something that can be foia-requested to the public? I think one of the things that is popular about benchmark is that there is embedded science and social studies content in the curriculum and there is some kind of spiral review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What, exactly, is "evidenced based reading instruction"? Whose evidence? And with what cohort?

Orton-Gillingham based programs are the only evidence-based reading curriculums which research has shown works best. It EVEN benefits ALL children, not only the 25% with learning differences in reading.

The problem is, it is expensive. The training takes time and money. And reading groups cannot include more than 3 students. MCPS is taking steps to move towards The Science of Reading, but it's too late for our kid. I get upset every time I think about how teachers are not being taught how to teach reading appropriately when they are getting their degree.

The Orton-Gillingham approach is a multisensory phonics technique for remedial reading instruction. It is practiced as a direct, explicit, cognitive, cumulative and multi-sensory approach.

In Maryland, School Psychs are not allowed to diagnose dyslexia when doing psycho-educational testing. You need to pay for a private evaluation to get that accurate diagnosis. Our son's test results from the county state he has "specific learning disability in reading and writing" I wonder how things would have gone differently this year for him if we had test results showing he has dyslexia like his dad. If MD allowed their school psychs to accurately diagnose dyslexia, then they would have to provide the appropriate tier 3 instruction. But they can't, so they don't.

His school actually told us they do have 2 OG programs available, but when I asked them to please switch him to it, they finally admitted they don't have the staff available. So, my son gets 2 hours weekly of the tier 2 intervention in school, and we pay for an OG-trained tutor (tier 3- appropriate for dyslexics) twice a week after school. Next year, we are enrolling him in a private school with very small classes and individual attention, and will pay for OG tutoring 3x week but it can be during school hours in their private tutoring room.

A great resource for tutoring and info on the science of reading is SparkED Literacy.
https://instagram.com/sparkedliteracy?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I'm wondering which private school you are moving to. We are looking into the Enhanced Literacy Program at the Springwell School. It is the only thing I have found that includes 2nd and 3rd graders and doesn't cost a fortune.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are piloting a systematic phonics instruction program this year for grades K-2 and are going to expand it to all schools next year. This is to do in tandem with Benchmark.

Why they chose Benchmark when it doesn't follow the science of reading is anyone's guess.

Is there any data that was collected when they ere evaluating different curriculums and is that something that can be foia-requested to the public? I think one of the things that is popular about benchmark is that there is embedded science and social studies content in the curriculum and there is some kind of spiral review

It is publicly available... https://www.edreports.org/reports/overview/benchmark-advance-2021

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are piloting a systematic phonics instruction program this year for grades K-2 and are going to expand it to all schools next year. This is to do in tandem with Benchmark.

Why they chose Benchmark when it doesn't follow the science of reading is anyone's guess.

Is there any data that was collected when they ere evaluating different curriculums and is that something that can be foia-requested to the public? I think one of the things that is popular about benchmark is that there is embedded science and social studies content in the curriculum and there is some kind of spiral review

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/curriculum-implementation.aspx

Even includes link to the board meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Kids in the bottom 25% at our school receive 90% of the resources. They meet with the teacher in groups at least 3 times a week. Nobody else gets that kind of attnetion.

+1. And not at a Title 1 school. The students getting the most focus in any subject are those that are not on grade level. Those on grade level get a moderate/normal amount and those well above grade level very little focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

What does your child know? Is there an expectation that kids read at all by the end of K?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

What does your child know? Is there an expectation that kids read at all by the end of K?

Of course kids should have some level of reading by the end of K. The minimum in MCPS is level D.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

What does your child know? Is there an expectation that kids read at all by the end of K?

Of course kids should have some level of reading by the end of K. The minimum in MCPS is level D.

Leveled texts are not aligned with the science of reading. I'd use a free screener like DIBELS to see your child's strengths and weaknesses. Forget about leveled texts. Kids can easily memorize them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

What does your child know? Is there an expectation that kids read at all by the end of K?

Of course kids should have some level of reading by the end of K. The minimum in MCPS is level D.

Leveled texts are not aligned with the science of reading. I'd use a free screener like DIBELS to see your child's strengths and weaknesses. Forget about leveled texts. Kids can easily memorize them.

OP should be looking for is a child that is showing progress in reading. Ability to easily recognize all letters, easily know the basic sounds that letters make(if they know short and long vowel all the better). Child should understand that the sounds combine together to make other sounds and words. They should be starting to put together simple C-V-C words with same and similar vowel teams (real or fake)(ex CAT, MAT, ZAT or MAN, CAN, DAN). They should be progressing towards or understand other CVC vowel teams (ET, EN, AD, IN,. Can they easily recognize and hear the letter sound of common objects(Ex: bring me three things that start with the “B” sound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are piloting a systematic phonics instruction program this year for grades K-2 and are going to expand it to all schools next year. This is to do in tandem with Benchmark.

Why they chose Benchmark when it doesn't follow the science of reading is anyone's guess.

Not all schools next year. Their contract with Bemchmark lasts for 3 more years and the Elem LA Director said it would take about 5 years to make a major shift in ALL schools because the district is so large. At best, she will get ONE day this summer with all Elem teachers just to explain the science of reading. It’s unfortunate they were not taught this in college or required to take courses in the science of reading for certificate renewal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What, exactly, is "evidenced based reading instruction"? Whose evidence? And with what cohort?

Orton-Gillingham based programs are the only evidence-based reading curriculums which research has shown works best. It EVEN benefits ALL children, not only the 25% with learning differences in reading.

The problem is, it is expensive. The training takes time and money. And reading groups cannot include more than 3 students. MCPS is taking steps to move towards The Science of Reading, but it's too late for our kid. I get upset every time I think about how teachers are not being taught how to teach reading appropriately when they are getting their degree.

The Orton-Gillingham approach is a multisensory phonics technique for remedial reading instruction. It is practiced as a direct, explicit, cognitive, cumulative and multi-sensory approach.

In Maryland, School Psychs are not allowed to diagnose dyslexia when doing psycho-educational testing. You need to pay for a private evaluation to get that accurate diagnosis. Our son's test results from the county state he has "specific learning disability in reading and writing" I wonder how things would have gone differently this year for him if we had test results showing he has dyslexia like his dad. If MD allowed their school psychs to accurately diagnose dyslexia, then they would have to provide the appropriate tier 3 instruction. But they can't, so they don't.

His school actually told us they do have 2 OG programs available, but when I asked them to please switch him to it, they finally admitted they don't have the staff available. So, my son gets 2 hours weekly of the tier 2 intervention in school, and we pay for an OG-trained tutor (tier 3- appropriate for dyslexics) twice a week after school. Next year, we are enrolling him in a private school with very small classes and individual attention, and will pay for OG tutoring 3x week but it can be during school hours in their private tutoring room.

A great resource for tutoring and info on the science of reading is SparkED Literacy.
https://instagram.com/sparkedliteracy?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I'm wondering which private school you are moving to. We are looking into the Enhanced Literacy Program at the Springwell School. It is the only thing I have found that includes 2nd and 3rd graders and doesn't cost a fortune.

I know some of the small Catholic schools will also parents to pay for their own private tutor during the schooo day. Unfortunately, it’s not likely your child will get pulled for tutoring during reading class. So your kid will miss music or math or some other class. And how would your child feel being pulled out versus receiving proper instruction in the first place?

Also, dyslexia doesn’t like to be alone. My kid also has ADHD and dysgraphia. Private and public schools can’t really handle those either. An OG tutor won’t fix that and actually creates resistance from my kid because it’s so rigid.

To the PP that said only private evals can diagnose dyslexia, that’s not correct. Our private psychologist also used the verbiage “specific learning disability in reading” with dyslexia in parenthesis. She also would only give provisional diagnoses for everything because our kid was 6 at the time and due to the pandemic she said it was unclear what was an actual disability and what was caused by an instructional gap. This was a psychologist in Baltimore where the public schools are way ahead of MCPS in the science of reading and there are many private school options for students with dyslexia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are piloting a systematic phonics instruction program this year for grades K-2 and are going to expand it to all schools next year. This is to do in tandem with Benchmark.

Why they chose Benchmark when it doesn't follow the science of reading is anyone's guess.

Not all schools next year. Their contract with Bemchmark lasts for 3 more years and the Elem LA Director said it would take about 5 years to make a major shift in ALL schools because the district is so large. At best, she will get ONE day this summer with all Elem teachers just to explain the science of reading. It’s unfortunate they were not taught this in college or required to take courses in the science of reading for certificate renewal.

FIVE MORE YEARS!!!

[Anonymous]

My child is in K and my non-expert observation is that the reading instruction at school seems to be a combo of phonics and sight words. I think that there seems to be more phonics than what I noticed when my older kids were in K. I try to do phonics readers at home to supplement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

Same with my K kid. I think what concerns me the most is that they seem frustrated and don’t want to try to read even simple readers (like the first Bob books set). But when I broach to the teacher she assure me he is meeting expectations (all Ps) and not to worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics? I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool. They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other. They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level. They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him. Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time. This was about 15 years ago.

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available.

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations.

What does your child know? Is there an expectation that kids read at all by the end of K?

Of course kids should have some level of reading by the end of K. The minimum in MCPS is level D.

This is the first I’ve heard about of these letters (I just had to google). Did you ask your teacher for this or did they provide? We just get the report card marks (P, etc.).