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No miracles: 8th-grade reading stalls even in 'surge' states
There is no 8th-grade reading "miracle" anywhere.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 243 min read


Reading lessons focus on 'tasks' -- not understanding
"Are we teaching K-4 kids that reading is just tasks, labeling stuff and filling out graphic organizers?"

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 292 min read


The anti-knowledge league prefers 'engagement' to learning
Teaching knowledge and vocabulary helps students learn, but education professors prefer "engagement" to learning.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 21, 20252 min read


A radical idea to improve schools: Do what works
Doing what works -- and avoiding fads and ideology -- would improve learning dramatically.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 28, 20252 min read


Knowledge matters: 'You can't think critically about nothing in particular'
Schools want to teach "critical thinking" without teaching knowledge. It can't be done.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 9, 20252 min read


Nervous in New England: Can the North rise again?
"Back to basics" won't help Northern schools catch up to Southern Surge states in reading. It takes a lot more.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 8, 20253 min read


Phonics is the first step: What else do students need to become good readers?
Reading comprehension is based on decoding, vocabulary and knowledge, say "science of reading" advocates.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 27, 20252 min read


Getting better: How Louisiana is raising reading and math scores
How Louisiana is raising reading scores and hoping to improve math achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 3, 20253 min read
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