Inside the push for sweeping changes
Source: Jenny Gold, LA Times
Rubio said she was shocked by the pushback. “I was thinking it was a no-brainer. It’s about kids. This is evidence-based.” Rubio, a longtime teacher, was born in Mexico, and was herself an English-language learner in California public schools.
California is shifting toward phonics-based reading instruction, driven by the "science of reading" movement and supported by new legislation. The goal is to improve literacy by replacing less effective balanced literacy methods with explicit phonics teaching. While many support the change as evidence-based, some educators worry it may limit instructional flexibility. The transition will require major updates to teacher training and classroom materials.