JoAnn Paldo, M. Ed Learning/Reading Specialists

01/29/2025

Teachers can't teach what they don't know....universities need to wake up and teach preservice teachers about the science behind reading. https://www.k12dive.com/news/2024-naep-reading-math-scores-drop-pre-pandemic/738535/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue%3A+2025-01-29+K-12+Dive+%5Bissue%3A69924%5D&utm_term=K-12+Dive&fbclid=IwY2xjawIHHfZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaPn9tvzuXI_dtPyeQDQ27SMjWQ2-cKM5fRKbwXBCtcj9yHP1z7ohIG6ug_aem_A0OTfb5HvYrXu-DSMbRfzQ

Average reading scores dropped 5 points for both 4th and 8th graders from 2019 to 2024. Math scores also saw significant declines.

01/25/2025

https://educationhq.com/news/balanced-literacy-advocates-have-blighted-tassies-shift-to-the-science-of-reading-parent-188729/

Tasmania’s commitment to w**d out balanced literacy in schools has been undermined by a string of Department ‘consultants’ who have actively worked against the shift to structured literacy, one vocal parent has flagged.

01/17/2025

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/16/minnesota-schools-shift-teaching-to-boost-kids-reading

Schools are working now to overhaul literacy teaching to comply with a new state law, the Read Act. A visit to one Minnesota district shows the hopes and challenges that come with overturning decades of instructional practice.

07/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/NpQE1ohxVAuEdWbb/

Douglass Academy High School had 35 students with nearly 900 seats unfilled. None were proficient on the SAT. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to add at least eight staffers there and at every other school in the district at a cost of $1.7 billion.

06/29/2022

Chicagoreadingspecialists.com

We believe the greatest gift we can give your child is belief in their capabilities and the capacity to embrace their unique style of learning

07/27/2021

Inspiring…..

12/21/2020

Amazing! This is one of my clients who has been reluctant to read. Today he surprised me by asking if he could read a story to me. He felt brave and decided to take a risk and did a great job. I love these kiddos.

12/05/2020

Love this.....

“What’s up with the specs? 🤓 I was all set to close the show with a message for my daughter and anyone else who needed might need a pep-talk... and was surprised by this heartwarming gesture by my friends and colleagues . https://t.co/nxoJVLCArI”

11/13/2020

Such an inspirational story......

Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikic crossed the finish line on Saturday to become the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon.

08/19/2020

Every student experiences the "summer slide" even more so are those who have a learning difference and throw in a global pandemic on top of that. Thank you Tracy Swartz at the Chicago Tribune for interviewing me for this story. A special shout-out to my client Sophia for taking part in this interview.

With the coronavirus forcing remote learning in spring, the “summer slide” started early. Here's what parents can do before kids start school in fall.

04/25/2020

Check this out! Quarantine and stay-at-home teaches us many lessons. Maybe my favorites are kindness and gratitude. If you aren’t familiar with CBS’ Steve Hartman, his weekly ‘Kindness 101’ e-learning episodes can help your family bring these lessons to life. (And be sure to have some tissues handy!)

Steve Hartman teaches an online class on gratitude with lessons learned On the Road.