What Works
A deep dive
Sold a Story reveals widespread flawed reading instruction in America: “It’s an exposé of how educators came to believe in something that isn’t true and are now reckoning with the consequences — children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.”
The UK's transformation
In this episode, Anna Stokke interviews Sir Nick Gibb, former UK Schools Minister, who rose England’s TIMMS & PIRLS standings worldwide, creating a blueprint for evidence-based reform through phonics, math mastery, rigorous curricula and teacher training.
Don't Blame the Teachers
America’s education woes stem from flawed curricular theories, not teachers. Reformers scapegoat educators, insisting failed ideas falter only in execution, not design—after decades of unproven reforms. Hirsh proposes blaming the ideas—and improving them.
The Schools We Need and Why We Don't Have Them
A measured treatise on the early roots and ongoing affirmation of the US “anti-knowledge and anti-subject matter” educational system that produces subpar student achievement, which has a disproportionately disastrous impact on kids from poor backgrounds.
The Definitive Study
The NICHD National Reading Panel reviewed decades of research and found explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, & comprehension are the most effective, evidence-based methods for teaching students how to read.
The positive impact of retention
A research study on third-grade retention in Indiana found that students held back after third grade demonstrated lasting gains in reading and math that continued throughout middle school, even as statewide retention rates declined during the same period.
Chiefs for Change
“We refuse to accept the status quo.” As diverse state & district leaders—racially, politically, geographically—we share a vision: every school serving children equitably & united in core beliefs on evidence-based reforms to achieve excellence nationwide.
Direct Instruction
Built on the principle that all children can be taught, and all teachers can succeed with adequate training and materials, Direct Instruction is a teaching model with well-developed, planned lessons using small learning increments and clear teacher tasks.