In DeWitt, New York, it was reported in 2022 that two out of three fourth graders in the United States were not proficient readers, according to the Nation’s Report Card. This highlights the significant decline in literacy rates, even in schools in Central New York. However, there is a school in the area, Manlius Pebble Hill, taking a different approach to the standard curriculum. Manlius Pebble Hill is an independent tuition-based Pre K-12 school with 330 students facing challenges in reading, much like students across the country.

Amy Abdo, the head of the lower school at Manlius Pebble Hill, noted a decade ago that traditional teaching methods were not effective for struggling readers in fourth and fifth grade. Seeking solutions, the school implemented a curriculum by The Institute of Multisensory Education that focuses on the science of reading. Over the years, this approach has led to significant improvements in student achievement.

Kate Berry, a second-grade teacher and literacy coordinator at the school, introduced the new method and has seen remarkable progress in students’ reading skills. The approach has helped struggling readers double or triple their reading rates, with students showing increased confidence and success in various subjects beyond just reading.

The school’s success has motivated them to share their methods with other educators. Berry and Abdo will host a webinar in May open to all New York State Elementary educators to showcase their literacy approach and its impact on student achievement. Their ultimate goal is for more educators to adopt this science-based instruction to help all students become happy, confident, and successful readers.