EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT | NYC READS
NYC's Mandatory Reading Curriculum: How's It Going?
By Stephanie Clagnaz, Ed.D. | LEDBetter
As a result of low reading proficiency, the New York City Department of Education, endorsed by Mayor Eric Adams, issued a directive forcing schools to select from three mandatory reading programs this year. The intention of the mandated programs is for teachers to focus more on foundational reading skills, such as phonemic awareness and phonics, which is a component of the body of research known as the ‘Science of Reading’. The vast majority of districts selected a program called Into Reading, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, although Wit and Wisdom (published by Great Minds) and EL Education were also provided as choices. The few districts that chose alternatives to Into Reading mostly serve higher socioeconomic families.
Into Reading is a highly scripted curriculum that some argue lacks cultural responsiveness, does not focus enough on student writing, and exposes students to shorter texts rather than full-length books. The DOE’s curriculum change was imposed on schools in response to many years of poor reading scores following the extended use of Columbia University’s reading guru Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study. Critics of the Calkins material professed that there was not enough focus on letter-sound correspondence, known as phonics, and that the Science of Reading research provides evidence that more students will read proficiently if a distinct phonics focus is part of their reading curriculum.
One reason that Into Reading is such a popular choice among district superintendents is that the program provides teachers with a step-by-step instructional plan and is thought to be easy to implement. While there has been buy-in from some teachers, others have complained that they haven’t received enough training to properly implement the multi-faceted program. Critics also argue that a “one size fits all” approach does not adequately meet the needs of diverse students and restricts teacher autonomy and creativity. In addition to the mandated reading programs, schools with students in kindergarten through grade two are also required to use an additional phonics program. Because of this, some teachers feel overwhelmed by the number of components in each of the new lessons that are required to be implemented.
Whether the mandated curricula will have a significant impact on students’ reading proficiency remains unclear. Results stemming from curriculum changes may take up to six years to manifest themselves, as was seen in southern states when mandated sweeping curricular change in 2013 took place when they implemented Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Oftentimes, the timeframe may be even longer for vulnerable student populations, such as those with disabilities or English language learners. While some outcomes in states using the Science of Reading based LETRS program have seen increased mastery rates, others are still struggling with reading proficiency. This is likely due to the multitude of factors that influence student success. For students in New York City, much more time is needed to evaluate whether the experiment of the new mandatory reading curriculum will result in a positive impact on student learning.
When implementing a new or established curriculum, teachers need ongoing support, training, and space for reflective practice to discover how to best meet the needs of their students. All teachers are faced with classrooms full of varying needs: students working on, above, or below grade level; students with disabilities; English language learners; students struggling with homelessness; and so much more. Curriculum experts and coaches at Ledbetter can support your staff in all of these areas and more. Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all program, we specialize in designing distinct and unique support that meets the needs of your staff. Contact us for a free needs assessment to determine the best ways we can support your teachers and leaders as we work toward serving students who are increasingly proficient and happy in school!
Additional Mandatory Curriculum Resources & References:
NYC to mandate phonics-based curriculum in elementary schools - Chalkbeat
NYC forces elementary schools to use one of three reading programs in massive literacy push
The list is out: See what curriculum is dominating NYC’s reading mandate
New York City teachers embracing massive changes as new reading curriculum is implemented
New York City public schools will now be required to actually teach kids to read
How is NYC’s literacy curriculum mandate going? Teachers feel unprepared.
Top-down, scripted curriculum mandates are a disaster for our schools - Strike Hot
Petition · Stop the NYC Curriculum Mandate - New York, United States · Change.org
Thirty-one Mission Hill School faculty protest Wit and Wisdom curriculum | by Schoolyard News
The lens of whiteness won’t close gaps in BPS | by Schoolyard News
Lessons in (In)Equity: An Evaluation of Cultural Responsiveness in Elementary ELA Curriculum
The Reading League Curriculum Navigation Report Into Reading
As NYC’s reading curriculum mandate expands, some communities push back - Chalkbeat
New York Is Forcing Schools to Change How They Teach Children to Read
How the Largest School District Is Adjusting to the Science of Reading
Supporting Educators Through Curricular Change—Empowering Teachers for Student Success
As the New York City Department of Education transitions to mandatory reading programs rooted in the Science of Reading, teachers face growing challenges: adapting to scripted curricula, balancing foundational phonics instruction with cultural responsiveness, and meeting the needs of diverse student populations, especially for English language learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities. At LEDbetter, we understand these complexities and offer tailored solutions to help schools navigate curricular changes effectively.
Our Services include:
Teacher Development: Practical strategies for adapting mandated programs like Into Reading to support ELLs, students with disabilities, and diverse classrooms.
Leadership Coaching: Data-driven solutions and culturally responsive practices to guide coordinators and administrators in program implementation.
ELL & Special Needs Support: Differentiation and scaffolding techniques to ensure equitable access to foundational literacy skills for all learners.
Wellness & Retention: Programs like Holding Space to reduce teacher stress and improve collaboration.
Equip your team with the skills to turn mandates into meaningful outcomes. Contact us at excelerator@led-better.org to schedule a free consultation today!
