School Yourself

The Latest in Literacy, 3/14/26

Southern Surge replication speculation, grim national outcomes, Ed Tech backlash blooms, study confirms reading gains transfer to math, loads of…

Mar 14 • Karen Vaites

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The Latest in Literacy, 3/7/26

The left embraces the Southern Surge, Gavin Newsom spreads Mississippi Misinfo, buzz about that comprehension meta-analysis, and more.

Mar 7 • Karen Vaites

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February 2026

The Latest in Literacy: 2/28/26

Whew, what a week... literacy discourse is all over the map. Bet you missed at least some of this.

Feb 28 • Karen Vaites

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The Latest in Literacy, 2/21/26

Phonics Wars, Texas book mandates, Sweden's pivot on books, a teacher's meta-analysis on comprehension, and more

Feb 21 • Karen Vaites

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Introducing 'The Latest in Literacy,' a Marshall Memo for literacy (and more)

Can a Substack newsletter save us from the death of Literacy Twitter? Let's find out.

Feb 14 • Karen Vaites

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The Science of Reading goes to Washington

Outtakes from this week's Congressional hearings. Do they portend national action on literacy?

Feb 13 • Karen Vaites

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Congress holds hearings as Massachusetts and Texas embrace curriculum mandates

Congress shows interest in literacy, plus movement toward curriculum mandates in bellwether states

Feb 6 • Karen Vaites and Curriculum Insight Project

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Misconceptions about phonemic awareness are everywhere—including ChatGPT

There's no evidence for oral-only phonemic awareness instruction. Time to tell the LLMs.

Feb 4 • Karen Vaites and Curriculum Insight Project

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January 2026

Curriculum mandates are trending, with movement in MA and MI. Should they be?

Massachusetts is poised to implement curriculum mandates, as legislation moves through its state house. Michigan wants to follow. Should we boost these…

Jan 24 • Karen Vaites and Curriculum Insight Project

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A call for a national curriculum database

We desperately need a window into curriculum use in American schools. I'm begging Linda McMahon to rescue us from our confusion.

Jan 15 • Karen Vaites and Curriculum Insight Project

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December 2025

For the antidote to sloppy skepticism about Mississippi, look to Louisiana

Tired of the Mississippi mistrust doom loop? Louisiana offers a counterweight. The Bayou State deserves more attention for its own smart model, anyway.

Dec 3, 2025 • Karen Vaites

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November 2025

Georgia on my mind (‘cause it’s a cautionary tale)

The lesson from Georgia: When state lists are a mixed bag, districts pick the weaker stuff.

Nov 19, 2025 • Karen Vaites and Curriculum Insight Project

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