Literacy Timeline

Phonics

1690

Phonics teaches how letters and sounds are connected and how they are used in reading and spelling. This method was the primary way of teaching reading prior to whole language. Lexia. (2022, June 30). The Science of Reading vs. Balanced Literacy: The History of the Reading Wars | Lexia Learning. Www.lexialearning.com. https://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacy-the-history-of-the-reading-wars

Whole Language

1800

Horace Mann started this practice. He was a politician who was an advocate for literacy and education. He believed that children should not sound out words letter by letter because it would keep them from understanding the meaning of the words. Lexia. (2022, June 30). The Science of Reading vs. Balanced Literacy: The History of the Reading Wars | Lexia Learning. Www.lexialearning.com. https://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacy-the-history-of-the-reading-wars

Rudolf Flesch

1955

Rudolf Flesh published a book called "Why Jonny- Can't Read- and What You Can Do About It". This book stresses the importance of phonics instruction in schools for students to be able to read properly. Lexia. (2022, June 30). The Science of Reading vs. Balanced Literacy: The History of the Reading Wars | Lexia Learning. Www.lexialearning.com. https://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacy-the-history-of-the-reading-wars

Jeanne Chall

1967

Jeanne Chall believed in the importance of direct, systematic instruction in reading. Chall published "Learning to Read: The Great Debate", that talks about how a child must first learn to read before he can read to learn. Lexia. (2022, June 30). The Science of Reading vs. Balanced Literacy: The History of the Reading Wars | Lexia Learning. Www.lexialearning.com. https://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacy-the-history-of-the-reading-wars

Balanced Literacy

1990

This approach to literacy emphasized the importance of using a combination of instructional approaches and groups which vary on the amount of teacher support and student choice. Lexia. (2022, June 30). The Science of Reading vs. Balanced Literacy: The History of the Reading Wars | Lexia Learning. Www.lexialearning.com. https://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacy-the-history-of-the-reading-wars

Read To Succeed Act

2014

This South Carolina act stresses the importance of reading at every grade level and is aimed at ensuring every student is reading on grade level and graduates from high school with the reading and writing skills needed to go to college and/or obtain a job. Read to Succeed. (n.d.). South Carolina Department of Education. https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/early-learning-and-literacy/read-to-succeed/

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

2015

This is a federal education law that ensures that all students have equal opportunity for success. It requires that every state develop standards that the state expects all students to meet. U.S. Department of Education. (2015). Every student succeeds act (ESSA). Ed.gov. https://www.ed.gov/essa