From the Field · Originally shared on LinkedIn by Gary D. Soto (August 2026)
Forty percent of fourth-graders scored below NAEP Basic in reading.
And changing the plan again may be part of the problem.
That national result is not the same as a state’s grade-level proficiency rate. It is still a warning we should take seriously.[1]
Schools do not need another disconnected initiative. They need adults to turn sound evidence into daily practice: strong core instruction, Systematic Explicit Instruction, useful progress monitoring, and timely support when students need more.
That takes more than buying a program.
A leadership team has to answer three practical questions:
- What should students experience in every classroom?
- How will teachers know whether it is working?
- What will happen when a student needs more time or a different approach?
Gary D. Soto Consulting works with district and site leaders to connect instructional leadership, The Science of Reading, Best First Instruction, and evidence-based MTSS into a coherent approach.
Every student can learn. The adult system has to make that belief visible.
If your literacy plan is strong on paper but inconsistent in classrooms, message me or connect with GDS at https://garydsoto.com/card/.
#InstructionalLeadership #ScienceOfReading #MTSS #SchoolImprovement
Sources
[1] NAEP Reading: National Trends and Student Skills (2024) — nationsreportcard.gov