Columbia University Ends Controversial Literacy Program in NYC Schools
Columbia University's Teachers College has announced the dissolution of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, led by renowned literacy professor Lucy Calkins. Calkins' curriculum, which emphasized a looser approach to reading instruction, had garnered both praise and criticism. Critics argued that her methods downplayed phonics and disregarded scientific research on reading. The decision to dissolve the organization comes as schools of education face pressure to align teacher training with research-backed reading strategies. Calkins has formed a new company, the Mossflower Reading and Writing Project, to continue her work consulting with schools. Teachers College plans to hire faculty with expertise in the cognitive science of reading and launch new training programs for teachers.