@michaelpleahy All of my students increased their reading grade level by a minimum of 1 to 2 grade levels every year. However, the numbers between teacher and students must be low. 25 students in a 1st grade class is insane. But then we'd need more space and teachers. It will never happen.
@michaelpleahy Direct instruction absolutely works. I was a special education teacher who taught reading this way. It took time, patience and a strict adherence to the method. I was frequently given low evaluation scores because this method doesn't fit the teacher evaluation mode.
@AlvedaCKing Thank you for your always inspiring words of wisdom. I'll never meet you, but please know I'm uplifted by you and the example you set for all of us.