ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Wednesday she will push for schools to re-emphasize phonics in literacy programs, a possible overhaul that comes as many states revamp curricula amid low reading scores.
The proposal would require the state Education Department to create guidelines focused on the so-called science of reading, a phonics-based approach to literacy instruction, that school districts would be required to adopt by September 2025.
The state Legislature would have to approve the plan before it could go into effect.
The change would see New York join a national movement away from a teaching method known as balanced literacy, which focuses on introducing children to books they find interesting — often at the expense of specific phonics instruction.
New York, like other states, has seen reading proficiency scores drop after the coronavirus pandemic closed schools and forced classes online. Data shows that less than half of New York's third-grade students read at a proficient level on state tests last year.
“Reading is the foundation of our education system, but New York State is currently not meeting basic reading proficiency levels,” Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement. “We cannot continue to allow our children to fall further behind by using outdated and discredited approaches to reading comprehension.”
More than 30 states have transitioned to phonics-based reading science programs, the governor's office said. New York City has also implemented a similar program.
Hochul's plan includes $10 million to train teachers in the science of reading instruction, as well as an expansion of credentialing programs at state and city public colleges for teachers who focus on the science of reading instruction.
The governor announced the proposal as part of her agenda for the state legislative session, which began Wednesday and will end in June.
In comments to reporters, Will Barclay, the Republican leader of the New York State Assembly, appeared open to the governor's education plan but said he would wait until a bill is introduced before taking a formal position.