Dr. Shayne Piasta: The science of reading

Expert on Camera:

In response to learning losses that occurred during the pandemic, many parents, educators and others are accelerating longstanding efforts to implement more science-based approaches to reading instruction in schools. More than a dozen states have pushed for changes in recent years, aiming to improve children’s literacy and include marginalized groups.

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, SciLine interviewed:

Dr. Shayne Piasta is a professor of literacies, literature, and learning at The Ohio State University and a faculty associate at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. She spoke about topics including:

• What is meant by the “science of reading” and how it can be misinterpreted;
• Skills supported by the science of reading;
• The effectiveness of different approaches to reading instruction for children;
• Considerations for children from marginalized backgrounds;
• Opportunities to improve reading instruction in the United States; and
• Intended and possible unintended consequences of science of reading policies.

Declared interests:

Dr. Piasta is a member of the Lexia Educational Leadership Council and the National Center on Intensive Intervention Academic Intervention Technical Review Committee and receives honoraria from these organizations. She is also currently an Associate Editor for Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, an editorial board member for additional journals, a member of the Ohio P20 Literacy Collaborative and State Literacy Team, and a founding member of Providing Opportunities for Women in Education Research, but does not receive compensation for these roles.