Nation's Report Card Scores Prove That Preschool Matters—Now More Than Ever
When I taught kindergarten in Greenville, SC, at a high-needs Title 1 school, I saw something incredible. This school had a public preschool program, a lottery-based system that prioritized children from low-income families and those with special needs.
And let me tell you—it changed everything.
These preschoolers entered my kindergarten classroom ready. They understood routines, they had exposure to language, and they had been immersed in early literacy experiences. Many of them spoke English as a second language, yet they were already outperforming some of their middle-class peers who had attended private preschools.
My students thrived. I could take each and every child further than I ever had before because they started with a full bucket—filled with rich language experiences, early literacy exposure, and school readiness skills. And I was not dedicating all my time to those that were struggling, which I had done at previous schools.
The results of a full bucket? 95-100% of my students met their benchmarks. In a class of 28 kids.
Why? Because preschool works. Because a strong foundation works. Because when we invest in early literacy, we give children the chance they deserve.
Now, let’s talk about what’s happening in our schools right now. The Nation's Report Card isn't pretty!
Nation's Report Card Reading Scores: A Wake-Up Call
In 2022, nearly 68% of fourth graders were NOT proficient in reading. The 2024 report is in—and the results are even worse. In fact, the scores have dropped 2 points since 2022.
Cue the headlines: “Science of Reading Doesn’t Work!”
Before we jump to conclusions about the Science of Reading, let’s get one thing straight: These fourth graders—the ones reflected in today’s test scores—never had a Science of Reading foundation from the start. They weren’t taught with structured literacy. They weren’t given the tools they needed in those critical early years.
But what if they had been? What if like the students in my classroom in Greenville, most of the children:
Entered kindergarten with a strong vocabulary.
Had a solid phonemic awareness foundation
Demonstrated a deep knowledge of letters and sounds.
Would these scores be different? I argue 100% YES!
5 Reasons Why Reading Scores Haven’t Improved—Yet
1️ - Change Takes Time - No one masters a new skill overnight. Teachers transitioning to structured literacy methods need years to refine their practice. Think about your first year as a teacher—if you looked back at your lesson plans, would you cringe? I know I did! The second year, I completely overhauled my instruction.
Switching from balanced literacy to the Science of Reading is the same. It requires training, coaching, observation, and practice before teachers become truly confident and effective. Want to learn more about the Science of Reading? Check out THIS post.
2️ - Resources Are Still Catching Up - Even when teachers are trained in structured literacy, do they have the right resources? Decodable books, phonemic awareness tools, and structured curriculum are essential—but not every school is adequately supplied.
It’s not enough to change how teachers teach; we must equip them with the materials needed to implement these methods successfully.
3️ - Teacher Buy-In Isn’t Universal - Imagine spending years in college learning outdated reading instruction methods (me!)—then being told to unlearn everything and switch to something new.
That’s what many teachers are facing today. Some have taught using balanced literacy for decades and have seen some success. Convincing them to fully embrace structured literacy takes support, not pressure.
4️ - The Data Reflects Older Teaching Methods - The reading scores we analyze today come from third, fourth, and fifth graders—children who were taught using old, ineffective reading methods before the Science of Reading gained traction.
The true impact of structured literacy won’t be seen in national test scores until younger students, who have been taught with research-based methods from the start, move up through the system.
5️ - American Culture Plays a Role - This one might sting—but we need to talk about it. In countries with high literacy success rates, strong foundational skills come first—before formal reading instruction.
Take Finland, for example. Finnish children don’t begin formal reading instruction until age 7, yet they become fluent readers within a year.
How?
Because before they ever start reading, they’ve built a strong foundation in phonemic awareness, oral language, and play-based learning. Their culture values storytelling, rhyming, and singing—all of which support early literacy development.
Now, compare that to the United States, where:
There’s pressure for preschoolers to start reading early—even before they’ve mastered phonological awareness.
Screens and iPads have replaced conversations, singing, and interactive play.
Many parents and caregivers don’t have access to resources that promote early literacy skills.
If we want real change, we must start before kindergarten. We must prioritize preschool —not just with formal instruction (although we still believe some skills must be explicitly taught through play), but by building strong oral language and literacy foundations at home and in early childhood classrooms.
Preschool is the answer! If we want to change the future of literacy in this country, we have to start at the source—preschool.
Final Thoughts
If we want to break the cycle of declining reading scores, we must start at home and in the classroom. Educating parents on the value of early literacy and equipping them with simple, effective strategies is key. (Check out our blog post on this HERE.) By putting down technology, embracing connection, and dedicating just a few intentional minutes a day, we can give children the strong foundation they need to thrive. Check out our LITERACY PADS for an easy, research-backed approach to embracing early literacy.
For teachers, planning with intention—focusing on what we know children can do while keeping it fun—ensures literacy-rich experiences that truly make an impact. But directors play a crucial role too. Providing teachers with the right tools and training empowers them to build strong literacy foundations in every child.
Together, we can create lasting change! What is one change that you are ready to make? Drop it in the comments!
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We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills. At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways! By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.
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