5 point reading quiz

What percentage of fourth graders are proficient in reading*? Proficient means students can read fluently and understand what they read. They no longer need to decode words or ponder vocabulary words.
1. 30-31%
2. 49-50%
3. 63-65%
4. 82-83%
Students in the basic (lowest) reading group by fourth grade
1. are less likely to finish high school.
2. are more likely to be poor as adults.
3. are more likely to be jailed.
4. are more likely to remain basic readers the rest of their lives.
Research shows the best way to learn to read is
1. to memorize words based on how they look on a page.
2. to guess at new words in context.
3. to use phonics to sound out letters and syllables.
4. to use any one of these methods consistently.
Do US teacher prep programs still teach aspiring teachers that “balanced literacy” approaches rather than explicit, systematic phonics are the best ways to teach reading?
What approach does your child’s teacher use to teach reading?

And the answers are

30-31% of US fourth graders are proficient readers, a drop from 37% in 2017. Even more fourth graders–35-37%–are considered basic readers, meaning they cannot read at their grade level in school. So about a third of students are doing well, another third are getting by, and another third are behind.
All the answers are correct.
Research** shows that phonics-based reading is the best approach for young children.
Yes, about 40% of teacher prep programs do not teach a research-supported way to teach reading***.
If you don’t know, you can ask. As an advocate for your child’s successful future, you have a right to know if your child’s teachers are following the best practices based on research.

*According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress.

** According to the National Reading Panel, authorized by Congress in 2000 to study research on reading to learn what method of instruction works best.

***According to the National Council on Teacher Quality.