News Tribune

In rural Missouri classrooms, new approach to reading takes hold

In early 2026, a small group of first-grade students at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School in St. James, Missouri, sat together sounding out words.

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New data shows early‑grade reading remains below pre‑pandemic levels, with first‑ and second‑graders lagging as math rises.
The 74 on MSN

This Texas elementary is achieving high reading scores a million words at a time

Walking into Windsor Park elementary in Corpus Christi, Texas, it’s hard to miss the mass of bright, colorful paper balloons ...
The Hechinger Report

‘The Reading Year’: First grade is critical for reading skills, but kids coming from disrupted kindergarten experiences are way behind

Heather Miller, a first grade teacher in Austin, Texas, works with a small group of students in her classroom on reading skills. Credit: Jackie Mader/ The Hechinger Report The Hechinger Report covers ...
Southeast Missourian

In rural Missouri classrooms, a new approach to reading is taking hold

In early 2026, a small group of first-grade students at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School in St. James, Missouri, sat together sounding out words. Kim Williams, the school’s principal, watched as ...