APM ReportsIlluminating Journalism from American Public Media
Menu
  • Our Reporting
  • Podcasts
  • About Us
Menu
  • Our Reporting
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Health
    • History
    • Policing and Criminal Justice
    • Reading
    • Teen Treatment Industry
  • Podcasts
    • APM Reports Documentaries
    • Educate
    • Historically Black
    • In Deep
    • Order 9066
    • Sent Away
    • Sold a Story
    • Sold a Story en español
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Email Notifications
    • Ethics Guidelines
    • Impact
    • Our Journalists
    • Public Media Accountability Initiative
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

  • Sold a Story (Podcast)

Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read?

Jack Silva had a problem. He was the chief academic officer of a school district in Pennsylvania, and more than 40% of the kids in his district were not proficient readers. He didn't know much about how kids learn to read, but he knew he had to figure it out. Originally published in September 2018, this documentary helped ignite a national conversation about the science of reading. Winner of an EWA Public Service Award.

March 23, 2023

Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read?
Illustration by Rachel Sender for APM Reports
PlayPause
Listen:
[RERELEASE] Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read?
0:00 | 00:52:20
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Jack Silva had a problem. He was the chief academic officer of a school district in Pennsylvania, and more than 40% of the kids in his district were not proficient readers. He didn't know much about how kids learn to read, but he knew he had to figure it out. Originally published in September 2018, this documentary helped ignite a national conversation about the science of reading. Winner of an EWA Public Service Award.

Read more: Why aren't kids being taught to read?
Read in Spanish: Translation by Aptus

Support this show: Donate to APM Reports

Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

APM Reports
  • Our Reporting
  • Podcasts
  • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
American Public Media
  • © 2025 Minnesota Public Radio. All Rights Reserved.
  •  
  • Terms and Conditions
  •  
  • Privacy Policy