California’s reading wars may finally be over. After decades of debate over how to teach reading, a new bill aims to use phonics to solve the state’s literacy crisis.

It’s easy to be glib in describing these reading wars. Everyone agrees that phonics are necessary, and everyone also agrees that phonics are not enough. “Yes, phonics matters, ...

California schools use about half a dozen reading curricula, and some are more phonics-based than others. Typically, schools use a combination of programs and give teachers some leeway.

Phonics was one of the tried and true methods that was used to teach reading back in the day (I’m almost 80). Even now, I use it to sound out new words that I come across.

The battle over the best way to teach children how to read has re-erupted in the California Legislature, as dueling factions haggle over a bill that would mandate a phonics-based style of reading ...

“We are now adopting the Bluebonnet phonics component. So the reading is split into skills and knowledge. Skills is the ...

Reading scores stagnated. Math scores jumped compared with the early '90s, but haven't gone up in a decade. ... "Fluency requires different instructional methods than phonics," he said.

Phonics instruction has been a major point of contention in the decades-long "reading wars" — shorthand in education circles for the debate over the best way to teach children to read.

Submit your letter to the editor via this form.Read more Letters to the Editor.. Phonics alone won’t get kids reading. Re: “Far too many California children can’t read” (Page A7, June 17 ...

Watered-down bill makes phonics-based reading instruction optional in California by Carolyn Jones • CalMatters May 4, 2025, 8:15 a.m. May 3, 2025, 8:51 a.m. Share this: ...

Compromise bill makes phonics-based reading instruction an option in California by Carolyn Jones • CalMatters May 4, 2025, 8:15 a.m. Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X; ...