ALBANY — A Brooklyn lawmaker is criticizing the state Education Department for failing to adopt a more contemporary literacy curriculum, as New York’s reading scores lag behind those of states like Mississippi.
Assemblyman Bobby Carroll (D-Brooklyn) is urging Education Department officials to require that schools across the state implement a phonics-based literacy curriculum known as the science of reading approach, following a recent report indicating that many districts in the Empire State are relying on outdated methods.
“States such as Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia have already adopted this sensible approach. New York should not be trailing behind but rather leading the way,” Carroll expressed in a statement.
“Every child in New York should have the opportunity to learn to read, and it is time for the State Education Department to fulfill that commitment.”
An examination by the Education Trust-New York, a policy and advocacy group, revealed that approximately one-third of school districts continue to use an outdated curriculum based on the “balanced” approach to literacy instruction.
New York’s grade 4 reading scores according to national NAEP testing have seen little improvement over the years, even falling below the national average in 2022.
Conversely, states like Mississippi have made impressive strides in ranking, moving from 46th in 2017 to No. 7 in 2024.
In comparison, New York placed No. 26 in 2024, although its spending per pupil is about $36,000, which is 91% higher than the national average, as reported by the Citizens Budget Commission.
Despite these challenges, New York’s expanding state education bureaucracy has initiated efforts to train more teachers and implement selective strategies to align instruction with science of reading principles, including the “Path Forward Initiative.”
“While drawing comparisons to other states may be politically expedient, it overlooks the substantial, evidence-based efforts already in progress to enhance literacy instruction across New York,” a representative from the state Education Department stated in an interview with The Post. “New York classrooms are diverse, and effective literacy instruction must cater to the varied needs of students.
“A blanket mandate is insufficient.”
According to the Education Department, local school districts should have the autonomy to choose their curriculum without overarching mandates, the spokesperson maintained.
“The Board of Regents and the [Education] Department set high learning standards. Local school boards and districts determine curricula, teaching methods, and materials that best serve their students’ needs. NYSED does not mandate, evaluate, or endorse specific programs or vendors,” the spokesperson elaborated.
Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul actively encouraged schools to implement science of reading methodologies, which included a $10 million contribution to the state teachers’ union.
Moreover, New York City schools are taking proactive steps forward by rolling out the NYC Reads program, which focuses on phonics-based literacy education.
