balanced literacy

American  

noun

1. a method of teaching reading in which phonics and whole language approaches are both used to maximize student learning.

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Etymology

Origin of balanced literacy

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

But the research has become clear: Looking at the pictures or context of a story to guess a word — as is encouraged in whole language or balanced literacy instruction, leads to struggles with reading.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

Younger Alphas are also likely to benefit from the nationwide shift away from balanced literacy and towards the phonics-based science of reading, which could soon become mandatory under California law.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2024

For example, in May 2022, Lucy Calkins, an education professor and leading advocate of balanced literacy, announced a major retreat.

From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2023

Dr. Schwinn, the Tennessee education commissioner, said that under balanced literacy, the state met the needs of only some children for whom reading comes relatively easily — perhaps 40 percent, by some estimates.

From New York Times • Dec. 25, 2022

More commonly, teachers learn a method called balanced literacy, which combines both approaches.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2021