"The Schools That Are No Longer Teaching Kids to Read Books"

In New York City's District 20 and several other public elementary schools, a new literacy curriculum titled NYC Reads has been implemented, which minimizes the teaching of traditional storybooks and chapter books in favor of a text-based approach. This shift is part of a method known as the "science of reading," emphasizing phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension over the previous "balanced literacy" approach. The most controversial of the chosen curricula, Into Reading, replaces books with myBook textbooks containing decodable text excerpts. Many parents, teachers, and students in Phase 1 schools, primarily in lower-income and minority districts, have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the curriculum stifles students' love for reading by focusing on reading skills rather than full-length books. Despite some signs of improvement in reading proficiency, the overall approach has faced criticism for its implementation, lack of engagement, and potential racial biases.

Source: The Atlantic