Open Letter to New Yorkers
We congratulate Governor Kathy Hochul on her commendable initiative in prioritizing literacy improvement across New York State. The January 3rd announcement of her commitment to improve how reading is taught in New York is a laudable step towards fostering a brighter future for our state. As advocates for education, we believe it is crucial to acknowledge and support such initiatives that hold the potential to transform the lives of countless New Yorkers.
Governor Hochul's focus on literacy aligns with the fundamental belief that a strong educational system is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. By emphasizing proven methods to teach reading and improve literacy, she lays the foundation for a more equitable and empowered New York. It is heartening to witness a leader committed to the betterment of our educational system, and we commend Governor Hochul for her dedication to this vital cause.
We cannot wait any longer. New York has fallen below the US National average and ranks 32nd in reading proficiency. It was only a few years ago that the state was above the average and ranked 24 among all states--New York’s scores have stagnated while other states’ scores have improved to the point where we have fallen far behind. Furthermore, poverty can no longer be used as an excuse, as states with higher levels of poverty and lower spending per student have far surpassed New York State’s performance.
The Governor is proposing an expansion of this initiative to include teacher preparation universities in New York. Providing in-depth literacy-focused courses in teacher education programs is needed to equip future educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to understand how the brain learns to read and demonstrate evidence-based practices for the classroom. We urge the NYS Department of Education to incorporate this information into teacher certification requirements to ensure that every educator is well-prepared to teach children how to read. Recognizing that it will take time for the educator pipeline to be filled with teachers trained in evidence-aligned practices gleaned from the body of knowledge known as the science of reading, we encourage them to provide guidance to local school boards on how to evaluate curricula to ensure they align with the science. We also strongly emphasize the importance of high-quality, ongoing professional development for all stakeholders prior to and during the implementation of any new programs. We further encourage schools to have a long-term focus and to be transparent with parents and the community on what it will take to make these changes and see results.
We urge our legislators to support Governor Hochul's efforts. Adequate funding to support coaching and implementation, along with a collaborative approach, are essential to ensuring the success of such initiatives. Furthermore, we encourage them to consider drafting comprehensive legislation explicitly outlining the goals and strategies for improving literacy in New York. Legislation must encompass measures to assess progress, allocate resources, and promote collaboration among various stakeholders, including educators, parents, and community leaders. It is our hope that New York will take advantage of the legislative and transformative efforts that other states adopted in order to become successful. Resources already exist that can assist our state in taking advantage of the opportunity to improve reading instruction in New York State right away.
In conclusion, Governor Hochul's initiative to improve literacy is a praiseworthy endeavor that deserves our wholehearted support. By endorsing and expanding upon this initiative, we can collectively work towards a future where every New Yorker has the opportunity to unlock their full potential through the gift of literacy.
