Most educators in New York support the Science of Reading, but a new statewide survey finds that implementation remains uneven—with many teachers blending evidence-based practices with outdated instructional methods. [Education Week, subscription model]
Why it matters: New York’s 2024 “Back to Basics” reading initiative aims to align instruction with the Science of Reading by September 2025. But the state’s legacy of local control and patchwork implementation is slowing progress, according to a survey from the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz.
By the Numbers
- 91% of educators surveyed support the Science of Reading.
- Only 28% say it’s the primary approach used in their classrooms.
- 69% of schools have adopted or are piloting new, aligned curricula—but not all are comprehensive.
- Just 8% of educators received substantial Science of Reading training during teacher prep.
- 75% expressed high interest in professional learning, especially around small group instruction and dyslexia support.
The Big Picture
Despite high enthusiasm, many teachers are improvising by learning on their own, relying on supplements, or reverting to older methods they know best.
This should not be interpreted as a resistance to change, but rather a request for more support. The report warns that the Science of Reading “requires more than adding new programs or one-off trainings”—it demands deep, sustained investment.
