The California Task Force on Reading:  Every Child a Reader

In 1995 California declared a statewide crisis in reading. Their NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) reading scores had dropped to dead last. Every Child a Reader: The California Task Force on Reading was written based on the recommendations and research of national experts in the reading field. The task force concluded that a balanced reading program should include:

*a strong literature, language, and comprehensive program that includes a balance of oral and written language;

*an organized, explicit skills program that includes phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding skills to address the needs of the emergent reader;

*an ongoing diagnosis that informs teaching and assessment that insures accountability;

*and a powerful early intervention program that provides individual tutoring for children at risk for reading failure.

The summary of this document states: "The Task Force members were unanimous in their conviction that reading is the most important academic skill and the foundation for all academic learning. If our children cannot read, they are on the road to failure. Teaching children to read must be our highest priority."

Louisa Cook Moats, Ed.D., a "Distinguished Visiting Scholar" at the Center for Improvement of Reading Instruction, Sacramento County Office of Education, has published an article about the educational reform taking place in California. California Reading Initiative, A Revolution in Education Policy discusses the legislation passed within the past year for early reading instruction. The legislation has been backed with $1 billion in funding. California districts must certify that 90% of their teachers in K-3 classes have received training in the specifically targeted elements of instruction that were shown by research to lead to reading success. These elements are:

*phonemic awareness;
*systematic, explicit phonics instruction;
*sound-symbol relationships;
*decoding;
*word attack skills;
*spelling instruction;
*comprehension instruction;
*and independent reading of high-quality books.

California Reading Initiative, A Revolution in Educational Policy and The Guide to the California Reading Initiative contain specific definitions, research findings, and analysis of important components of reading success.

(Orton-Gillingham.com - Issues in Reading)