Topic: Why can’t 65% of Fourth Graders Read?

65%, that is a stunning statistic to consider. At Philly Tutors we take a number like that very seriously and we yearn to know why. When we looked into this we came to understand that the issue revolves around the comparison of two approaches: Structured Literacy and Balanced Literacy. Balanced Literacy, introduced nationwide in the 1990s, emphasizes activities such as reading aloud, shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading. On the other hand, Structured Literacy focuses more on the structure of language, including phonology, sound-symbol correspondences, syllables, syntax, and semantics. It is often referred to as "The Science of Reading" as it connects letters and words to the sounds of spoken language. Unfortunately, the Balanced Literacy approach has placed less emphasis on the auditory aspects of reading, which is a fundamental part of the process. The absence of a comprehensive scope and sequence of phonics has left many families seeking external assistance to improve reading outcomes. One way Philly Tutors is actively addressing this problem is by using an effective program we love called IXL. This program uses the Structured Literacy approach to return the reading process to the auditory focus it needs. We hope you will consider partnering with us to reignite your child's love for reading.