Want stronger readers? Don’t sideline social studies

No one disagrees with the statement that kids need to become better readers, but how to do it is a point of contention, write a group of education professors, who say a state plan to pile on language arts class time at the expense of social studies will backfire.

By: Sarah McGrew, Alison Jovanovic, Lena Morreale Scott

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: July 9, 2026

Words: 809

Last Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago

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Public schools across Maryland should support students to learn to read and communicate through speaking and writing. This statement is not controversial. But how to accomplish it can be.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is considering a policy intended to further support students’ literacy development in fourth through eighth grade. Even before the policy has passed, some districts are considering school schedules that devote more time to English Language Arts (ELA) and targeted …

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