'Phonics, Phonics, Phonics': NYC Unveils Major School Literacy Push

NEW YORK CITY — A sweeping new program will tackle what New York City's top education official calls the "educational crisis of our time": flagging literacy rates among children.

The literacy push dubbed "New York City Reads" will shift the city's schools toward more phonics-based instruction with the goal of having all students reading on grade level no later than the third grade, said Chancellor David Banks.

"It's not just phonics, it's a very comprehensive approach," he said during an announcement Tuesday. "But phonics and phonemic awareness are the bedrock of that."

More than half of New York City's students aren't reading at their grade level, and two-thirds nationally aren't proficient, officials said.

Many city educators have pinned blame on a focus on exposure to books during reading lessons rather than the building blocks of sounding out words and their meanings.

Here's how Mayor Eric Adams said that second approach was described to him: "Phonics, phonics, phonics."

Banks argued the city needs to change toward that phonics-based approach. He said the city's past approach has left 64 percent and 63 percent of Black and Latino students, respectively, not proficient at reading.

"It's a travesty and really an indictment of the work we do," he said.

The new program will be phased in over two years, starting next fall, Banks said. Superintendents in 15 school districts during the first year will choose between curricula — “Into Reading,” “Wit & Wisdom,” and “EL Education” — based on what their principals say and whether it fits with their current school materials, officials said.

The city's remaining 17 districts will do the same during phase two in the fall of 2023, officials said.

All schools will be under the program during the 2024-2025 school year.