Kids can't read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds) Are we really in a literacy crisis? Featuring author Jason Reynolds

Kids can't read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)
open.substack.com/pub/mannynoa...

Did States Blow 10s of Millions on Reading Instruction that Doesn’t Work?: The Full Story "LETRS is a prime example of a common problem with the deployment of research for educational policy and instructional decision-making." (Rowe & Thrailkill, 2025)

Did States Blow 10s of Millions on Reading Instruction that Doesn’t Work?: The Full Story
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored) "Principle: Rising test scores do not necessarily mean rising achievement." Gerald Bracey, Reading Educational Research (2006)

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors "Zero Phonics. This view claims that direct teaching is not necessary or even helpful. I am unaware of any professional who holds this position." Stephen Krashen (2017)

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates "[E]xperts say requiring those students to repeat grades creates short-term improvements and long-term negative effects that carry into adulthood." Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

For those who don't understand what it means to be a teacher

I have a few current/former students excitedly telling me they have signed up for *another* course with me in the fall

Also I know a few want to push me off a 4-story building like Daredevil did the Punisher

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition "A review last year of 68 studies pitted the results of balanced literacy against a science of reading-based approach called 'structured literacy.'" Steven Yoder, March 29, 2026

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Recommended: Reading educational research: How to avoid getting statistically snookered, Gerald Bracey (2006) "People collect statistics with a purpose. Sometimes the purpose is to advance the common good; sometimes it’s to simply advance the people who collected them or their agenda." Gerald Bracey

Recommended: Reading educational research: How to avoid getting statistically snookered, Gerald Bracey (2006)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Daredevil: What Color Justice? "April is the cruelest month." T.S. Eliot, "The Waste Land"

Daredevil: What Color Justice?
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored) "Principle: Rising test scores do not necessarily mean rising achievement." Gerald Bracey, Reading Educational Research (2006)

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors "Zero Phonics. This view claims that direct teaching is not necessary or even helpful. I am unaware of any professional who holds this position." Stephen Krashen (2017)

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates "[E]xperts say requiring those students to repeat grades creates short-term improvements and long-term negative effects that carry into adulthood." Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Teacher Education in (Another) Era of the “Bad Teacher” Myth Over the past few years, both traditional and social media have uncritically reanimated the “bad teacher” myth.

Teacher Education in (Another) Era of the “Bad Teacher” Myth
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The74: Students In District That ‘Shed’ Remedial Math Thrived. The Data Suggests Otherwise. I’ve been teaching Math for 35 years. And if I were to only be able to give a few words of advice to a beginning Math teacher, I would tell them: Don’t teach too much in one period. Aft…

The74: Students In District That 'Shed' Remedial Math Thrived. The Data Suggests Otherwise. garyrubinstein.wordpress.com/2026/04/19/t...

Research Contradicts “Science of Reading” Media Story Being Sold "[TikTok] videos become situated as the credible source around a public discourse where misinformation is often communicated." (Rowe, et al., RRQ, 2025)

Research Contradicts “Science of Reading” Media Story Being Sold
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Grade 8 NAEP: A More Valid Reading Story (Although Still Incomplete) [Michigan Update] On NAEP Grade 8 Scores: "a better indicator of the cumulative effects of a system on student learning than 4th grade assessments." Bruce Baker, February 11, 2026

Grade 8 NAEP: A More Valid Reading Story (Although Still Incomplete) [Michigan Update]
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition "A review last year of 68 studies pitted the results of balanced literacy against a science of reading-based approach called 'structured literacy.'" Steven Yoder, March 29, 2026

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored) "Principle: Rising test scores do not necessarily mean rising achievement." Gerald Bracey, Reading Educational Research (2006)

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors "Zero Phonics. This view claims that direct teaching is not necessary or even helpful. I am unaware of any professional who holds this position." Stephen Krashen (2017)

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Writing Purpose and Process: Poetry Edition "[T]here’s poetry and there’s songwriting." Matt Berninger

Writing Purpose and Process: Poetry Edition
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates "[E]xperts say requiring those students to repeat grades creates short-term improvements and long-term negative effects that carry into adulthood." Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman

Reading Crisis and Legislation: April 2026 Updates
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Infinite Patience Is Not Good for Education How many times does Sal Khan get to fail?

Infinite Patience Is Not Good for Education
open.substack.com/pub/bibliora...

dr. p.l. (paul) thomas educator, public scholar, poet&writer - academic freedom isn't free

radicalscholarship.com

If the robot teacher disgusted you, you haven’t been paying attention. States have gone out of their way to make room and exceptions for the AI embedded within programs and assessments under Science of Reading mandates.

open.substack.com/pub/rachaelr...

Stuck Character Service "It's still early days," some guy splutters in anger, peeved that people like myself are cackling loudly at Sal Khan's admission that Khanmigo has been a big flop. "It's simply too soon to say" anythi...

Stuck Character Service

2ndbreakfast.audreywatters.com/stuck-charac...

Did States Blow 10s of Millions on Reading Instruction that Doesn’t Work?: The Full Story "LETRS is a prime example of a common problem with the deployment of research for educational policy and instructional decision-making." (Rowe & Thrailkill, 2025)

Did States Blow 10s of Millions on Reading Instruction that Doesn’t Work?: The Full Story
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition "A review last year of 68 studies pitted the results of balanced literacy against a science of reading-based approach called 'structured literacy.'" Steven Yoder, March 29, 2026

The Comprehension Problem: Media Edition
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Recommended: Reading educational research: How to avoid getting statistically snookered, Gerald Bracey (2006) "People collect statistics with a purpose. Sometimes the purpose is to advance the common good; sometimes it’s to simply advance the people who collected them or their agenda." Gerald Bracey

Recommended: Reading educational research: How to avoid getting statistically snookered, Gerald Bracey (2006)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

Daredevil: What Color Justice? "April is the cruelest month." T.S. Eliot, "The Waste Land"

Daredevil: What Color Justice?
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored) "Principle: Rising test scores do not necessarily mean rising achievement." Gerald Bracey, Reading Educational Research (2006)

The Mississippi Reading Reform Multiverse (And Lessons Ignored)
open.substack.com/pub/paulthom...