Phonics Was Supposed to Fix This. So Why Are So Many Kids Still Struggling? | Dominic Wyse

EP.156🌶️ Value:This episode breaks down the article everyone’s talking about and asks the hard question it raises: If synthetic phonics has been mandated for years, why haven’t outcomes for struggling readers changed? We talk directly with Dominic Wyse about the research, the data, and what gets lost when literacy policy becomes rigid instead of responsive.Promise:You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what the research actually says, where policy oversimplifies reading instruction, and why real classrooms demand more than one approach. No slogans. No extremes. Just an honest, uncomfortable conversation that respects teachers, centers kids, and refuses to pretend this debate is settled.Article discussed:https://phys.org/news/2025-12-england-synthetic-phonics-approach-children.html Wyse, D., Esposito, R., Ranken, E. & Sumner, E. (2025). Mapping the Field of Effective Teaching and Interventions for Children with Reading Difficulties: A Systematic Tertiary Review, Qualitative Meta Synthesis, and National Survey.Reading Research Quarterly.https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.70075 Wyse, D. & Hacking, C. (2024). Decoding, Reading and Writing: The Double Helix Theory of Teaching. Literacy. DOI: 10.1111/lit.12367 Winner of the Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award 2025. New paperWyse, D., Aarts, B., Anders, J., de Gennaro, A., Dockrell, J., Manyukhina, Y., Sing, S., & Torgerson, C. (2025). Teaching grammar and writing: A randomised controlled trial and implementation process evaluation of Englicious.Journal of Writing Research. https://www.jowr.org/jowr/article/view/1346Send us Fan MailDecodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase  email [email protected] Website:https://www.decodifylearning.com/ Support the showDonate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That WorksAdvertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership TodayConferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your EventStay Connected 🌐 Visit The Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 [email protected]