😱 Your Literacy Approach Might Be Causing More Harm Than Good

Happy Friday Leaders!

I had a conversation this week that shook me to my core.

Chris Scorer joined me on the Global Ed Leaders podcast to discuss literacy and its impact on student well-being and learning. And our conversation blew my mind a little.

Chris shared his personal journey as a parent of a child who struggled with reading. It led him to question everything we think we know about literacy in schools:

The orthodoxy.

The unwavering push for reading proficiency.

The potential harm it can cause.

One key takeaway? Literacy is an access tool, not the end goal. It's a means to access knowledge, not the ultimate objective.

For some students, an intense focus on literacy can become a barrier. A barrier to learning, to engagement, to well-being. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and even more severe consequences.

This got me thinking. How can we, as educators, accommodate diverse learning needs? Just as we accommodate physical disabilities, can we provide alternative avenues for students to access and represent knowledge?

Audio materials. Visual aids. Assistive technology. There are many options.

But here's the thing. True progress? It requires systemic change. A willingness to question orthodoxy. To challenge the status quo.

Individual teachers and school leaders can make a difference. By knowing their students. By offering diverse learning modalities.

But we must also advocate for change at the policy level.

So, here's my challenge to you. Can you start a conversation? With your colleagues? With literacy coordinators? With policymakers?

If you are as intrigued as I was, listen to the full conversation with Chris Scorer on the Global Ed Leaders podcast.

And let me know what you think. Hit reply and share your thoughts, your experiences, your ideas.

I'd love to hear your perspective!

Have a fantastic weekend.

Shane

P.S. Here’s a couple of my recent conversations to take you in to the weekend: