We spoke to the class teacher of the student who made the most progress in our recent writing redraft project. We asked her which of our new AI feedback reports she found the most useful. Here is what she said. Read more here. substack.nomoremarking.com/p/how-do-stu...

Students do need to get feedback on their writing. But it may only work if it's connected to things they've been taught how to do. More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

ChatGPT has its uses, but if students rely on it to do their thinking FOR them, they risk missing out on learning & critical thinking. We already have evidence of that from cognitive psychology. Now there's more from neuroscience. More in my latest post: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-genera...

English majors can't understand Dickens on their own, a study finds. Professors need to provide students with more support. It would help if students read more novels, including at least one by Dickens, in high school. More in my latest post: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/struggles-...

Author @natwexler.bsky.social‬ explains how to align writing instruction with cognitive science: edut.to/4muKdYp #literacy #EduSky

Kudos to the NY Times for giving some attention to the shift to knowledge-building in elementary schools that is sweeping the country. Next (I hope): the deeper dive this significant & complex issue deserves. More in my latest post: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/knowledge-...

Glad the @nytimes.com is taking notice of @knowledgematrs.bsky.social & the rise of the knowledge-building movement. Would love to see more in-depth coverage too. There's a lot more to be said on this topic! Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...

The court system isn't always the best place to resolve education issues. Two pending Supreme Court cases--one on LGBTQ-themed books in elementary school & the other on religious charter schools--show why. More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/some-educa...

Funding cuts have led to cancellations of some national tests of student achievement. I've been a critic of some of those tests--but eliminating them won't solve the underlying problem. It may just make it worse. Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

'“It’s really hard to get a history teaching job if you’re not a coach,” a Texas teacher told me recently.' This line in @natwexler.bsky.social’s piece on history curriculum stopped me in my tracks. More on history curriculum landscape: substack.com/@nataliewexl...

Researchers are concerned that wealthier students "benefit" more from ChatGPT. But if they get the bot to do their work, are they really benefiting? Or are they losing out on learning? More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/do-student...

Join me for a free webinar next week on using writing instruction to boost reading comprehension--and learning in general. Sponsored by The Writing Revolution. For more info and to register, click here: bit.ly/3G6n9P5

Do teachers spend too little time on reading comprehension instruction, as a recent report says--or too much? The answer may be "both." It depends on where you look--& how you define "comprehension instruction." More in my new post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-do-we...

Kids often find history boring. But a new curriculum based on the Four Question Method, shows how to make the subject engaging AND take it to a deeper level. More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

🎧 Bonus Episode! The #KnowledgeMatters Podcast presents Writing: An Unsung Hero of Reading Comprehension—featuring @natwexler.bsky.social, Doug Lemov & more! Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

What makes a school "good"? Test scores could indicate quality--or just a lot of test prep. A school in the UK has great test scores AND great quality. The secret? They base instruction in principles of cognitive science. More in my latest post: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-makes...

The evidence is clear: prioritizing so-called “general skills” over knowledge-building has failed our kids for decades. Read @natwexler.bsky.social’s take: substack.com/@nataliewexl...

Appreciate @natwexler.bsky.social for the shoutout in her new book on our support of #edprep programs to embed #cogsci! At DFI, we work directly w programs AND drive policy change at scale. The path to system change is long, but we’re making it happen. www.the74million.org/article/cont...

Just out: Part 2 of my post explaining why there IS enough evidence to justify a switch to knowledge-building curricula. If we wait for definitive experimental evidence, we'll be waiting a long time--and many kids will continue to suffer academically. open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

Has there really never been a study showing that knowledge-building boosts reading comprehension? That's what some claim. I beg to differ--strongly. More in my latest post (first of a two-parter). open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

News flash: I'm participating in a free webinar about my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, on 2/17 at 7 p.m. Eastern--hosted by Marnie Ginsberg of Reading Simplified. Register here: my.demio.com/ref/JTOfuP7h...

How much do you really know about the #ReadingWars? Dive into @natwexler.bsky.social's insights on the failure of education reforms and the path to effective reading comprehension. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...

Struggling with student comprehension in your class? Here's why content matters more than "skills." @natwexler.bsky.social, author of "The Knowledge Gap" joins me on Critically Speaking. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n... #educationreform #knowledgegap

It was a pleasure and an honor to appear on the Critically Speaking podcast, hosted by Dr. Therese Markow. We had a great conversation!

Is there a science to teaching kids how to read? 🤔 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n... @natwexler.bsky.social uncovers the truth behind educational approaches and why many fall short. #Education

Delighted to have been interviewed by Dr. Therese Markow for her podcast, Critically Speaking. She got interested in The Knowledge Gap after noticing undergraduates were coming into her courses with poorer vocabulary. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...

The NAEP reading test doesn't give us much useful information--and can actually mislead us about why so many students are not proficient readers. Is there a way to change that? I have thoughts. nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-to-imp...

Pleased to announce that I'll be presenting a keynote and breakout session at the Summit for Transformative Learning in Atlanta on March 10 and 11. Check out the full line-up of speakers at stlinatl.com.

Just out: I wrote a post for ASCD that covers some of the key points in my new book (although of course there's lots more in the book!). ascd.org/blogs/redefi...

NAEP scores have everyone talking about the "science of reading," typically defined as "phonics." But it's a test of COMPREHENSION. Phonics is important. But maybe there are problems with comprehension instruction?? More in my latest post: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-nobod...

Content Guru Natalie Wexler Urges Us to Move ‘Beyond The Science of Reading’ - my latest for @the74.bsky.social @natwexler.bsky.social www.the74million.org/article/cont...

“Reading comprehension isn’t just a skill—it depends on knowledge. Without background knowledge, students struggle to understand what they read.” @natwexler.bsky.social explains why building knowledge is key to literacy success. #SOR #KnowledgeMatters 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

I got to meet my new book today! Very exciting.

News flash: I have another book coming out! To find out why I wrote it, and to get a preview of what's in it, check out the latest post on my free Substack, Minding the Gap: open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

Delighted to have appeared, once again, on Science of Reading: The Podcast to discuss my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning. Listen here: amplify.com/episode/scie...

Read this wonderful piece about the GLF from @natwexler.bsky.social. I love this piece because it tells the story of the fellowship through the experience of three different fellows, reflecting the ethos of the program. nataliewexler.substack.com/p/a-teacher-...

Teachers tend to trust other teachers when looking to improve classroom practice. An innovative fellowship program helps them by spotlighting the practices of effective literacy teachers. More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/a-teacher-...

The science of learning applies to reading comprehension, too, says @natwexler.bsky.social, author of the new book BEYOND THE SCIENCE OF READING. Read more about how to teach comprehension thru content, writing, and the principles of cognitive science here: hollykorbey.substack.com/p/natalie-we...

How do teachers use the principles of the science of learning to teach reading? First, says @natwexler.bsky.social, every literacy teacher should be a content teacher, and vice versa. Read more in my interview with Wexler here: hollykorbey.substack.com/p/natalie-we...

Lots of important insights about knowledge building literacy curricula and the next frontier—social studies—in this post from @brdavidson.bsky.social !

Journalist and Knowledge Gap author @natwexler.bsky.social says when people think of the science of reading, they primarily think of phonics. But there's good evidence on how to teach comprehension, too. Hear her full interview at The Bell Ringer here: hollykorbey.substack.com/p/natalie-we...

How do you motivate students (or anyone else)? Enable them to experience success. How do you do that? Rely on principles of cognitive science to teach as clearly as possible. More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...

New Year, new podcast episodes! Starting us off strong for 2025 we have....... Natalie Wexler!!!! educationrickshaw.com/2025/01/01/s...

Everybody seems to be doing it (listing their top 10 posts of 2024, that is)--so why not me? Except I'm listing 11, because it's my Substack & I get to make the rules! Also, a new feature on this post: I did a voiceover. nataliewexler.substack.com/p/the-top-11...

Out today: a new episode of the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast in which I talk about my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, & the connections between the science of reading & the science of learning. It was a great conversation! literacypodcast.com/podcast?podc...

Curious about what's in my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, coming out on Jan. 21? Join me on Jan. 15 for a free webinar sponsored by Clever Noodle. Register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Honored to have my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, endorsed by some giants in the field of cognitive science--including John Sweller, father of cognitive load theory. (Also blushing!) The book comes out 1/21 & is available for preorder now through ASCD (ascd.org/books/beyond...) or Amazon.

Click below for a preview of my interview with @hollykorbey.bsky.social about my forthcoming book, "Beyond the Science of Reading"--& consider subscribing to her newsletter, The Bell Ringer! Introducing The Science of Learning Resource Guide open.substack.com/pub/hollykor...

This Friday, 12/20, get a sneak preview of my new book on the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast! We had a great chat about the connections between the science of reading & the science of learning. Publication date is 1/21 & it's available for preorder now, thru ASCD or Amazon.

Adult scores are down on international tests of skills--including US scores. But do the tests really measure skills, or the kind of knowledge that enables people to understand written text? More in my latest post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/scores-for...