NYC Reading Scores Decline Amid Literacy Instruction Changes
New York City has reported a significant decline in reading proficiency among students, with a 14-point drop in third-grade scores. The overall reading proficiency for grades 3-8 fell by 6 percentage points, nearly erasing gains from the previous year. This decline coincides with the city's ongoing overhaul of literacy instruction, which mandates the use of approved curriculums aligned with the science of reading. City officials are investigating the causes of these fluctuations, as the state test scores diverge from the city's own assessments, which showed improvements. The teachers union has criticized the Education Department's approach, calling for a refocus on proven literacy strategies. 
