NYC Is Overhauling How Students Learn to Read. But Is the Joy of Reading Paying the Price?

New York City schools are overhauling the way students learn to read through a literacy initiative known as NYC Reads, built around the “science of reading” movement. City officials say the approach is already improving reading scores. But some teachers, parents and students say the curriculum relies too heavily on worksheets, rigid lessons and short excerpts, leaving students with fewer opportunities to immerse themselves in full books. WNYC’s education reporter Jessica Gould joins us to discuss the debate over phonics, reading stamina, and whether schools are improving literacy at the expense of fostering a love of reading. Photo: Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images -Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org