A new meta-analysis takes on the “strategy instruction vs. knowledge-building” question. But that’s a false dichotomy.

A new meta-analysis takes on the “strategy instruction vs. knowledge-building” question. But that’s a false dichotomy.

If you’re a teacher looking for a practical guide to implementing the science of learning in your classroom, I have a recommendation for you.

Texas may soon require all of its 5.5 million public school students to read the same books—and take state tests based on them.

A short-lived experiment in Louisiana suggests the power of tying reading tests to content that students have been taught.

The terminology we use makes a difference.

I've made some mistakes, and so have others.

Explicit instruction and retrieval practice are fundamental components of learning, but students need more than that to acquire deep knowledge.

NAEP reading scores, a new approach to teaching history, and ... Australia?

Teachers at schools that have adopted content-rich curriculum often don’t guide kids to think deeply about the content, researchers say.

Yes, kids are reading fewer books in school--and that's a big problem.

England has made great strides in aligning its education system with cognitive science. Why hasn't the U.S.?

A recent report from NWEA found that middle schoolers are showing a noticeable decline in reading abilities. Here, we’ll unpack what the researchers uncovered, what factors are influencing middle scho...

Often, nothing much.

Over-reliance on tools like ChatGPT prevents learning and critical thinking.

Should college students be expected to read and understand nineteenth-century novels?

The mainstream media is beginning to take note of the trend towards building knowledge in elementary school. Let’s hope that leads to deeper coverage.

The legal system isn't designed to answer nuanced questions.

If we don't know how students are doing, does the problem disappear?

A curriculum now being developed enables students to engage with the subject at a deeper level.

AI has its uses, but it's not a substitute for writing--or learning.

This edWebinar will explore how the Hochman Method strengthens reading comprehension and elevates student proficiency in both reading and writing.

And is there too little of it in schools or too much?

A curriculum now being developed enables students to engage with the subject at a deeper level.

Podcast Episode · The Knowledge Matters Podcast · Bonus · 1h 2m

Assumptions about school quality can conflict with reality.

They're not just about phonics.

The answer is still yes, but we have to be realistic in our expectations.

In short: yes. But it's complicated.

Join us as we discuss author, Natalie Wexler's, latest book and how it impacts the way we teach reading.

Podcast Episode · Critically Speaking · 02/11/2025 · 44m

Can we make the national tests more useful, or at least less harmful?

It’s not just about phonics—literacy depends on rich content, explicit writing instruction, and cognitive science.

They're not just about phonics.