New research reveals that many older students lack essential decoding skills, hindering their reading progress. The study, conducted by researchers at ETS and the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, highlights a “decoding threshold” necessary for literacy advancement. Over 20% of 5th to 7th graders in a large urban district fell below this threshold, leading to slower growth in reading abilities. Rebecca Sutherland, an author of the study, noted, “We don’t test students’ foundational literacy skills after 3rd grade as a rule.” The findings suggest that current reading interventions may not address the root causes of students’ struggles. Kate Crist, a literacy consultant, emphasized the need for effective interventions, stating, “What are we going to do to intervene for those students?” The study underscores the importance of targeted support for older students who have been denied access to literacy in earlier grades.
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