34 min

Introducing: Sold a Story APM Reports Documentaries

    • Documentary

Emily Hanford introduces the first episode of her new podcast, Sold a Story.

There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read. In this podcast, Hanford investigates the influential authors who promote this idea and the company that sells their work. It's an exposé of how educators came to believe in something that isn't true and are now reckoning with the consequences — children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.

Subscribe: soldastory.org

Emily Hanford introduces the first episode of her new podcast, Sold a Story.

There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read. In this podcast, Hanford investigates the influential authors who promote this idea and the company that sells their work. It's an exposé of how educators came to believe in something that isn't true and are now reckoning with the consequences — children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.

Subscribe: soldastory.org

34 min

More by American Public Media

In The Dark
The New Yorker
Marketplace
Marketplace
Brains On! Science podcast for kids
American Public Media
Make Me Smart
Marketplace
Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
American Public Media
This Is Uncomfortable
Marketplace