The Ignored Science That Could Help Close the Achievement Gap
There’s a body of research on cognitive reading processes, so why isn’t it being utilized?
...In his forthcoming book, Language at the Speed of Sight, Seidenberg seeks to unpack why a nation as developed as the United States is underachieving in reading ability.
According to the most recent National Assessment for Education Progress Report Card, just about one third of American fourth- and eighth-graders were reading at or above a proficient level last year. And Seidenberg says this poor performance is indicative of the underutilization of reading science by educators. He criticizes the education establishment for failing to adequately address the reading gap—pointing out that, though education may not be the equalizer it’s dreamt to be, there are ways for schooling to help chip away at the effects of poverty.
I talked to Seidenberg about his book and his experiences as a reading scientist. A lightly edited version of our conversation is below....
