The Reading Wars Are Over: Evidence-Based Literacy Reform Offers A Path Out Of The NAEP Crisis
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 - The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results have sparked widespread concern and calls for reform in American education. Twelfth-grade reading proficiency plummeted to a record low of 35%, while math scores fell to 22%. These dismal numbers are part of a long-term trend that began before the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated afterwards.
According to Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, "We must rebuild American education from the ground up." A potentially overlooked tool in this rebuilding effort lies in evidence-based literacy reform, which has been gaining traction globally. This approach emphasizes a balanced reading instruction model that combines phonics with comprehension strategies, rather than relying on one method over another.
In contrast to the traditional "reading wars" between proponents of phonics and whole language approaches, evidence-based literacy reform offers a more nuanced understanding of how children learn to read. This shift in perspective is reflected in the work of educators like Kyle Smitley, who writes about the intersection of schools and money for Forbes. Smitley notes that "the reading wars have been a distraction from the real issue: providing teachers with the training and resources they need to teach reading effectively."
Background research suggests that this approach has shown promise globally. In Finland, for example, reading instruction emphasizes phonics, but also incorporates comprehension strategies and vocabulary building. As a result, Finnish students consistently rank among the top performers in international literacy assessments.
Additional perspectives come from experts like Dr. Louisa Moats, a renowned expert on reading instruction. "The evidence is clear: balanced reading instruction that combines phonics with comprehension strategies leads to better outcomes for students," she says. "It's time to put aside ideological differences and focus on what works."
As the education community grapples with these dismal NAEP results, policymakers are beginning to take notice of the potential benefits of evidence-based literacy reform. In Detroit, a city that has struggled with low reading proficiency rates, educators like Ms. Jackie at Detroit Prep are already implementing this approach with promising results.
The future of American education hangs in the balance as policymakers and educators work together to address the NAEP crisis. With evidence-based literacy reform on the table, one thing is clear: it's time to put aside ideological differences and focus on what works for students.
Byline: Kyle Smitley is a contributor to Forbes, where he writes about the intersection of schools and money. This article was written in collaboration with The Yass Prize.
*Reporting by Forbes.*
