From the Founder: Why the DOE’s Focus on Evidence-Based Reading Matters Now—and How Fireside Leads Bilingual Early Literacy
- Erin Gaulding
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Lately, the U.S. Department of Education announced a new funding priority—rewarding schools that implement evidence-based literacy instruction, better known as the “science of reading.” Secretary McMahon called it a “return to basics,” saying: “If you cannot read, you cannot learn.” In an era where 40+ states have already adopted similar standards, this federal push marks a watershed moment—not just for schools, but for families navigating early education.
The Science of Reading: Not Just Phonics
Federal guidelines now require “explicit, systematic, and intentional instruction” in all five areas, meaning classrooms must go beyond drills and worksheets.
The science of reading identifies five critical components for early literacy—the “big five.”
Phonemic awareness
Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Reading comprehension
BUT there’s a catch: researchers warn that overemphasizing phonics can strip away deeper reading skills like comprehension, cultural relevance, and teacher creativity. In Australia, New York City, and beyond, districts are balancing phonics rigor with context-rich, multilingual, culturally responsive instruction.
Why This Movement Is Gaining Ground
A wave of research over the past decade has made something very clear: the earlier we teach reading the right way, the better the outcomes—academically, emotionally, and economically.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly two-thirds of U.S. 4th graders aren't reading at grade level.
And research shows that children who don’t master reading by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
That’s why the science of reading—and especially its application in grades K–2—has become a national focus. These foundational years are when the brain is most receptive to learning to decode, build fluency, and develop early comprehension.
This movement isn’t just about test scores. It’s about changing life outcomes—and doing it while children are still wide open and eager to learn.
For you as parents, it means being aware of how your child learns—and finding programs that meet both rigor and heart.
Fireside’s Bilingual Literacy Advantage
While many schools are scrambling to align with the science of reading, Fireside has been living it since day one—with something most schools still lack: a truly bilingual, culturally responsive early literacy program.
Our K–2 reading model is designed around the “big five” skills the federal government now prioritizes—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. But we go further.
We integrate these core reading components in both English and Spanish, giving students a neurological and cognitive advantage.
Research shows that dual-language learners not only keep pace—they often exceed their monolingual peers in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and long-term academic outcomes.
At Fireside, we treat bilingualism not as a support need, but as a superpower. Whether your child is bilingual at home or being introduced to Spanish for the first time, our literacy curriculum is intentionally designed to:
Strengthen decoding and fluency in both languages
Expand vocabulary and cultural awareness
Develop oral language skills through stories, journaling, and spoken expression
Lay the foundation for biliteracy—which supports better executive function and memory
Why does that matter? Because by third grade, a child’s ability to read fluently becomes a direct predictor of future academic and life success.
We're not here to catch them up—we're here to light them up from the start.
The Fireside Literacy Difference
Most online programs rely on pre-loaded curriculum, canned videos, and screen-heavy instruction. Not Fireside.
We built our early literacy experience for the whole child—blending academic excellence with emotional intelligence, play, creativity, and rhythm.
Here’s how it works:
Seesaw-powered learning delivers intentional, age-appropriate reading practice daily
Children engage with live, small-group instruction focused on phonics, fluency, and vocabulary
Offline activities include read-alouds, storytelling, drawing, journaling, and movement-based games that reinforce reading skills
Parents get a front-row seat to their child’s literacy progress through digital portfolios and regular feedback
All of this is structured, consistent, and evidence-based—but still feels human, joyful, and connected.
What This Means for Your Family
If your child is in Pre-K through 3rd grade, now is the window. The way they learn to read—not just if they read—will shape their relationship with school, with themselves, and with their sense of competence in the world.
At Fireside, you're not just enrolling in an online K–5 school. You're joining a community that believes:
Literacy is a birthright
Bilingualism is brilliance
And early childhood is sacred
We're here to help your child become a confident, curious, and capable reader—in both English and Spanish—while honoring the joy of learning along the way.
If you're looking for a reading program that's as soulful as it is strategic, you might already be a Fireside family.
Article Sources
EdWeek: Trump’s Ed. Dept. Wants to Fund “Evidence‑Based” Reading
U.S. Dept. of Ed: Secretary McMahon’s Supplemental Grant Priorities
EdWeek: The “Science of Reading” Multiverse (40+ states adopting policies)
Wikipedia + research meta-analysis: Science of Reading teacher prep and outcomes
News: Victoria, Australia mandates phonics; NYC public schools shift to evidence-based literacy
EdWeek & AFT: Comprehensive literacy requires more than phonics drills
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