Southeast Missourian

In rural Missouri classrooms, a new approach to reading is taking hold

In early 2026, a small group of first-grade students at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School in St. James, Missouri, sat together sounding out words. Kim Williams, the school’s principal, watched as ...

Some US kids are falling behind in reading—the warning signs are subtle

New data shows early‑grade reading remains below pre‑pandemic levels, with first‑ and second‑graders lagging as math rises.
The Hechinger Report

‘The Reading Year’: First grade is critical for reading skills, but kids coming from disrupted kindergarten experiences are way behind

Heather Miller, a first grade teacher in Austin, Texas, works with a small group of students in her classroom on reading skills. Credit: Jackie Mader/ The Hechinger Report The Hechinger Report covers ...
The Conversation

Young children’s words predict reading ability — 5 ways parents and caregivers can help grow them

Hetty Roessingh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond ...