"Foundations First: Reclaiming Reading and Math through Proven Instruction"

House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education

2025-09-03

Loading video...

Summary

This meeting of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education convened to discuss the critical state of reading and math instruction in American schools, highlighting declining test scores and exploring effective, science-based approaches to improve student outcomes.[ 00:09:34 ] The discussion covered the historical context of literacy instruction, the importance of foundational skills, and the roles of federal and state entities in shaping educational policy and support.[ 00:10:40 ]

Themes

State of Education and Learning Declines

Numerous speakers expressed alarm over stagnant and declining academic performance across the nation.[ 00:09:49 ] The latest Nation's Report Card (NAEP) indicates a 5% drop in both fourth and eighth-grade reading scores compared to 2019, with math scores also falling significantly.[ 00:09:55 ] A longer-term trend reveals that NAEP scores have remained largely flat since 1971, and international comparisons show American 15-year-old students are below average in math globally.[ 00:10:08 ]

Only 33% of fourth graders in the U.S. are reading at or above proficiency, a figure that has not substantially improved since 1992, indicating a persistent national challenge. These low scores have severe implications, as children who do not achieve reading proficiency by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

The Science of Learning (Reading & Math)

A primary focus of the meeting was the move towards science-backed instruction in reading and math, contrasting it with previously adopted, less effective methods.[ 00:10:33 ]

For decades, many schools moved away from phonics towards "whole language" or "3Qing," which encouraged students to guess words based on context or pictures, a method now deemed at odds with the science of reading.[ 00:10:48 ] The science of reading emphasizes five core skills: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, which are crucial as reading is not a natural process and requires explicit teaching.[ 00:11:17 ] Similarly, in math, a return to foundational skills like the four basic functions of arithmetic and step-by-step direct instruction is advocated over teaching philosophies that devalue content knowledge.[ 00:11:27 ] States like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama that have implemented these science-backed approaches are seeing outstanding results and rapidly rising test scores.[ 00:11:41 ]

Role of Federal vs. State/Local Control

There was significant debate regarding the appropriate role of the federal government versus state and local entities in education. Some speakers expressed support for dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that educational decisions are best made by parents, teachers, and local systems, and advocating for less federal micromanagement and fewer strings attached to funding.[ 00:38:17 ]

Conversely, other members highlighted the importance of federal investments, such as Title I for low-income students and Title II for teacher preparation, and stressed that the Department of Education monitors and enforces these vital programs.[ 00:42:28 ] Concerns were raised about proposed cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which funds critical educational research including the NAEP, arguing that these cuts would lead to uninformed decisions and harm vulnerable students. The impact of a proposed nationwide school voucher program, which critics argue diverts taxpayer funding from public schools, was also a point of contention.

Teacher Support and Parental Involvement

The meeting underscored the critical roles of teachers and parents in improving educational outcomes. Effective teacher training, professional development, and fair compensation were identified as essential components for success. Initiatives like Louisiana's "Let Teachers Teach" aim to reduce bureaucracy and distractions, restoring discipline in classrooms and elevating the teaching profession, which has reportedly cut teacher vacancies by over 50% in the state. The importance of parental rights and involvement was also stressed, with parents expecting strong instruction in core subjects rather than "indoctrination on divisive issues." States are working to empower parents by keeping them informed of their child's progress, offering access to curriculum, and providing options like voucher programs for tutoring.[ 01:34:15-01:34:32 ]

Equity and Disparities

Discussions also highlighted the deep-seated inequities in education, with disparities persisting for marginalized communities, low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities. NAEP scores reveal significant gaps, such as Black fourth graders scoring 28 points behind their White peers, and students from lower socioeconomic statuses performing significantly below average. Speakers emphasized that literacy is an equity and civil rights issue, crucial for economic mobility and civic engagement, and that instruction must acknowledge linguistic diversity and be culturally responsive.[ 00:54:26 ]

Concerns were raised that diverting funds to private vouchers could exacerbate these inequities, particularly for students with disabilities who require specialized support that public schools are mandated to provide. The need for disaggregated data to understand and address specific achievement gaps was also underscored, to ensure all students can achieve proficiency.[ 01:41:16-01:41:25 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely earnest and concerned regarding the declining state of education in the United States, with a shared desire to improve student outcomes.[ 00:14:59 ]

While there was broad agreement on the importance of literacy and numeracy and the value of science-backed instruction, significant disagreements emerged regarding the role of federal intervention and funding, and the efficacy of school choice and voucher programs.[ 00:16:10 ] Some exchanges were passionate, reflecting deeply held beliefs on educational philosophy and policy, occasionally leading to sharp critiques of opposing viewpoints and proposed administrative actions.[ 00:44:38 ]