For many years, teacher trainings have emphasized the importance of customizing instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. Teachers have been told repeatedly that each child is unique and has different needs and learning styles. While this approach can be effective in various domains, reading instruction is an exception where a one-size-fits-all approach is suitable.
While it's important to acknowledge that each child has unique learning needs and styles, it's also essential to recognize that certain foundational skills are necessary for all students to become proficient readers. Phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary and oral language comprehension, and text comprehension are all critical components of reading development and neglecting any one of these areas can significantly hinder a student's progress.
By providing explicit, systemic instruction in these areas, teachers can ensure that all students are receiving the same high-quality reading education, regardless of their individual learning styles. This approach can also help to address the significant disparities in literacy rates that exist among different demographic groups, by providing a consistent, evidence-based approach to reading instruction.
Focusing solely on the small percentage of students who can comprehend reading without explicit instruction is a short-sighted approach that ignores the larger issue. While it is true that these students are exceptional, they do not represent the effectiveness of instructional methods. The reality is that only 25 - 30% of graduating seniors have proficient literacy skills, which is a concerning statistic. It is clear that relying on natural ability alone or methods like balanced literary is not enough to ensure success for all students. By providing explicit instruction, we have the potential to improve literacy rates and help all students reach their full potential.
In short, while it's important to recognize the unique needs and learning styles of each child, a one-size-fits-all approach to reading instruction is necessary to ensure that all students are given the tools they need to become proficient readers. By focusing on the five key areas of reading and providing explicit, systemic instruction, we can help to ensure that all students have the foundation they need to succeed in school and beyond. Check out readingwithmsjones.org to learn more!