By Andrew Salzman
Executive Director, Santa Barbara Reading Coalition
As many of you know, the Santa Barbara Unified School District has adopted two Science of Reading-based curricula: Wit & Wisdom and Foundations. These curricula cover grades K-6 and are designed to address the five core components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
However, implementing these programs effectively requires that teachers receive thorough training in the Science of Reading. One key training component focuses on the rationale and research behind this approach. It is an intensive program that can require up to 160 hours of professional development. Programs like LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) and Orton-Gillingham provide the foundational knowledge that teachers need to effectively teach these curricula. Without this training, even the best-designed programs are unlikely to achieve their full potential.
Unfortunately, we’ve learned through our attendance at school board meetings that this training is currently treated as voluntary for teachers. As a result, only a small portion of elementary school teachers have received the necessary training. This situation must change. While we understand the challenges of asking our hardworking teachers to commit additional time, this training is absolutely critical for effective literacy instruction.
Other school districts that have seen measurable improvements in reading scores have made this training mandatory. For example, Palo Alto Unified School District, which shares a similar demographic and socioeconomic profile with Santa Barbara, has invested in time, money, and resources for teacher training, with excellent results. Their commitment to setting performance targets, measuring progress, and holding district staff accountable offers a valuable model for what we can achieve here in Santa Barbara.
In light of recent budget cuts, it’s more important than ever that we advocate for continued investment in teacher training, coaching, and time dedicated to improving literacy outcomes. Your voice matters. We urge you to talk with your principals, and write to the superintendent and school board, to make it clear that literacy instruction must remain a priority. Attend school board meetings when literacy is on the agenda and advocate for the resources our teachers and students need to succeed.
The future of our children depends on it.
