ܹ̳

Opinion
Reading & Literacy Letter to the Editor

The Literacy Crisis Has Had Enough Of Lucy Calkins’ ‘Opinions’

December 13, 2022 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

To the Editor:

I am not sure this letter will ever reach anyone who will care, but I am saddened by the publishing of Lucy Calkins’ opinion essay in the Nov. 23 ܹ̳ issue (“Lucy Calkins Revisits and Revises Her Reading Curriculum”). I have been an avid supporter and reader, but I am disappointed that EdWeek promoted “the important truth about how to teach reading” by printing a piece by Calkins.

EdWeek is helping to tip the scales by allowing misinformation to continue. I think the paper has done a deep disservice to our children and our advocacy efforts to shift how reading is taught. This piece will be used as “evidence” that Calkins and colleagues’ Units of Study is effective or acceptable to keep in our classrooms.

I have lost a bit of respect for EdWeek, as it is supposed to follow evidence and find best practices for students. Again, I realize my words are a drop in the bucket, but I couldn’t just leave it. EdWeek should be ashamed to have allowed those words to be published.

Opinion or not, when a piece appears in print, it carries weight, and EdWeek just hurt all of the teachers in the struggle to improve our schools.

Elise Lovejoy
CEO & Founder
Express Readers
Pasadena, Calif.

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the December 14, 2022 edition of ܹ̳ as The Literacy Crisis Has Had EnoughOf Lucy Calkins’ ‘Opinions’

Events

Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum Big AI Questions for Schools. How They Should Respond 
Join this free virtual event to unpack some of the big questions around the use of AI in K-12 education.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of ܹ̳'s editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of ܹ̳'s editorial staff.
Sponsor
Science Webinar
Spark Minds, Reignite Students & Teachers: STEM’s Role in Supporting Presence and Engagement
Is your district struggling with chronic absenteeism? Discover how STEM can reignite students' and teachers' passion for learning.
Content provided by 

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Reading & Literacy What the Research Says What’s in the ‘Secret Sauce’ That Made This Virtual Reading Tutoring Work?
High attendance, well-trained tutors, and trusting relationships helped close learning gaps.
4 min read
Teaching and tutoring online to a young child at home.
Getty/E+
Reading & Literacy 4 Things to Know About the Literacy Lawsuit Targeting Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell
A novel lawsuit could open a new front in the reading wars. Here's what you need to know.
6 min read
Two students in a combined second- and third-grade class read together.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy Parents Sue Lucy Calkins, Fountas and Pinnell, and Others Over Reading Curricula
A first-of-its-kind lawsuit targets creators of whole-language reading curricula.
6 min read
Volunteer teacher reading to a class of preschool kids, preschool age; school children; students.
iStock/Getty
Reading & Literacy Spotlight Spotlight on Inclusive Literacy Resources & Tools
This Spotlight will help you explore innovative strategies and resources to support diverse learners.