At least 26 states have passed laws about how schools teach reading since APM Reports' Sold a Story podcast began in 2022.
Proponents of the disproven ideas about reading exposed in the podcast haven't given up, despite research showing instructional techniques based on that theory made it harder for some kids to learn.
State legislators and other policymakers are trying to change reading instruction, requiring it to align with cognitive science research about how children learn to read.
Several of them say they were motivated by the podcast.
Author's summary: New laws on reading instruction emerge nationwide.