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Younger Alphas are also likely to benefit from the nationwide shift away from balanced literacy and towards the phonics-based science of reading, which could soon become mandatory under California law.

The movement, fueled by longstanding research, has sought to oust “balanced literacy,” which is meant to give teachers flexibility to meet students’ needs while promoting a love of reading.

Before the switch, SPS used a method called balanced literacy, which places a greater emphasis on teaching children to recognize whole words, said Luke Justice, project manager of continuous improvement in early literacy.

For example, in May 2022, Lucy Calkins, an education professor and leading advocate of balanced literacy, announced a major retreat.

Much has been reported on the wholesale shift in New York schools from “balanced literacy,” with a focus on discussing stories — theme, character and plot — to the “science of reading,” or phonics, which builds on the basics of sounding out and understanding individual words.