Laura Bornfreund
@lbornfreund.bsky.social
Writer and Consultant on PreK-3rd grade policy. Former teacher. Education Policy Fellow at New America. Passionate about transforming kindergarten. I live in Florida. Mom to 2. Go UCF Knights!
Education.bornfreund.com
Education.bornfreund.com
This is somewhat misleading. Heggerty isn't intended to replace phonics instruction. There are multiple key components of reading, only one of which is phonemic awareness. Also need phonics, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, plus oral language and writing! www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
A Popular Method for Teaching Phonemic Awareness Doesn't Boost Reading
In a new study, a highly used program didn't lead to improvements in students' word-reading abilities.
www.edweek.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This is somewhat misleading. Heggerty isn't intended to replace phonics instruction. There are multiple key components of reading, only one of which is phonemic awareness. Also need phonics, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, plus oral language and writing! www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Laura Bornfreund
I wrote on a role for curricula in bridging preschool and early elementary newamerica.org/education-po... via
@NewAmericaEd
I wrote on a role for curricula in bridging preschool and early elementary newamerica.org/education-po... via
@NewAmericaEd
High Quality Pre-K Starts with Supported Teachers: A Role for Curricula in Bridging Preschool and Early Elementary
The preschool years need to be followed by meaningful learning in early elementary grades.
newamerica.org
September 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Laura Bornfreund
I wrote on a role for curricula in bridging preschool and early elementary newamerica.org/education-po... via
@NewAmericaEd
I wrote on a role for curricula in bridging preschool and early elementary newamerica.org/education-po... via
@NewAmericaEd
The #Sajaboys definitely opened and run the #Dunkindonuts at #GreatWolfLodge in Naples. Slowly sucking our souls while we wait 45 mins+ for coffee and a single hashbrown.
September 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The #Sajaboys definitely opened and run the #Dunkindonuts at #GreatWolfLodge in Naples. Slowly sucking our souls while we wait 45 mins+ for coffee and a single hashbrown.
The Science of Reading and Play Go Hand-in-Hand. Schools Must Make It Happen www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
The Science of Reading and Play Go Hand-in-Hand. Schools Must Make It Happen
Roberts & McCormick: Activities like blocks, drawing and dramatic play can make learning feel like a game for young kids. But the gains are real.
www.the74million.org
August 27, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The Science of Reading and Play Go Hand-in-Hand. Schools Must Make It Happen www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
Excited to share that my book "Rediscovering Kindergarten: Embracing Play and Joy in Learning" will be published by @GryphonHouse in June 2026! 📚✨
July 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Excited to share that my book "Rediscovering Kindergarten: Embracing Play and Joy in Learning" will be published by @GryphonHouse in June 2026! 📚✨
"And in those early days, we didn’t post about literacy, math or anything related to academics. Instead, we focused solely on attendance and getting families to come inside the school as much as possible." www.governing.com/management-a...
How a California Principal Reduced Absenteeism, Raised Reading Scores
By prioritizing caregiver access and opening classrooms to families, Dr. Brittany Daley made real headway on some of her school’s major post-pandemic problems.
www.governing.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"And in those early days, we didn’t post about literacy, math or anything related to academics. Instead, we focused solely on attendance and getting families to come inside the school as much as possible." www.governing.com/management-a...
‘The impact has been profound’: the headteacher bringing play back to the classroom | Teaching | The Guardian share.google/yZ0yETzwefqb...
‘The impact has been profound’: the headteacher bringing play back to the classroom
Tina Farr has put play-based learning at the heart of lessons at her Oxford primary – with ‘phenomenal’ results
share.google
June 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
‘The impact has been profound’: the headteacher bringing play back to the classroom | Teaching | The Guardian share.google/yZ0yETzwefqb...
The Trump Administration Is Trying to Unravel One of Our Greatest National Accomplishments www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/o...
Opinion | The Trump Administration Is Trying to Unravel One of Our Greatest National Accomplishments
www.nytimes.com
May 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The Trump Administration Is Trying to Unravel One of Our Greatest National Accomplishments www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/o...
Monday morning. Asst. Principal in a training, a number of teachers out, AC not working in 5th grade classrooms, bus late.
May 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Monday morning. Asst. Principal in a training, a number of teachers out, AC not working in 5th grade classrooms, bus late.
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?
www.nytimes.com
May 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
Lots to learn from here: Kids need playful learning. www.kmuw.org/news/2025-04...
Some Kansas kindergartens are bringing back an old-school concept — free play
As kindergarten becomes more academically intense, some schools in Wichita are incorporating self-directed free play — known among educators as purposeful play — into the daily schedule as a way to en...
www.kmuw.org
May 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Lots to learn from here: Kids need playful learning. www.kmuw.org/news/2025-04...
ED is gutted and has a new agenda www.propublica.org/article/educ...
A Gutted Education Department’s New Agenda: Roll Back Civil Rights Cases, Target Transgender Students
The Trump administration is subverting the traditional priorities of the department’s decimated civil rights office by making discrimination investigations practically impossible — instead enforcing i...
www.propublica.org
May 4, 2025 at 11:36 PM
ED is gutted and has a new agenda www.propublica.org/article/educ...
When kids are evicted, they often lose both home and school hechingerreport.org/when-kids-ar...
When kids are evicted, they often lose both home and school
Children threatened with eviction are more likely to end up in another district or transfer to another school, often one with less funding, more poverty and lower test scores.
hechingerreport.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:47 AM
When kids are evicted, they often lose both home and school hechingerreport.org/when-kids-ar...
As federal dollars for Head Start slow, rural parents left without other options hechingerreport.org/as-federal-d...
As federal dollars for Head Start slow, rural parents left without other options - The Hechinger Report
In the rural Methow Valley in northeast Washington state, parents have few options for child care. There are only two licensed programs in the community — one of which is a Head Start center. About 40...
hechingerreport.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:44 AM
As federal dollars for Head Start slow, rural parents left without other options hechingerreport.org/as-federal-d...
My colleagues at @newamerica.org published article after article about why the U.S. Department of Education (ED) matters. Make no mistake, there is much at stake if it were shut down. For insights on why, read more here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Defending the Department of Education
New research, analysis, and commentary from New America’s Education & Work teams related to the Department of Education and a push by the Trump administration to shutter it.
www.newamerica.org
March 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
My colleagues at @newamerica.org published article after article about why the U.S. Department of Education (ED) matters. Make no mistake, there is much at stake if it were shut down. For insights on why, read more here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
The Rise of Teacher Apprenticeships: How States Are Leading the Way newamerica.org/education-po... via @newamerica
The Rise of Teacher Apprenticeships: How States Are Leading the Way
Check out this analysis of Ed Trust's 50 State Scan on Registered Teacher Apprenticeships.
newamerica.org
February 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Rise of Teacher Apprenticeships: How States Are Leading the Way newamerica.org/education-po... via @newamerica
Last week, my colleagues at @newamerica.org published article after article about defending the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Make no mistake, there is much at stake if it were shut down. For insights on why, read more here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Defending the Department of Education
New research, analysis, and commentary from New America’s Education & Work teams related to the Department of Education and a push by the Trump administration to shutter it.
www.newamerica.org
February 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Last week, my colleagues at @newamerica.org published article after article about defending the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Make no mistake, there is much at stake if it were shut down. For insights on why, read more here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Helping teachers learn what works in the classroom − and what doesn’t − will get a lot harder without the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences
theconversation.com/helping-teac...
theconversation.com/helping-teac...
Helping teachers learn what works in the classroom − and what doesn’t − will get a lot harder without the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences
The nonpartisan arm of the Education Department supports research and shares data on student progress. It identifies what works and what doesn’t.
theconversation.com
February 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Helping teachers learn what works in the classroom − and what doesn’t − will get a lot harder without the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences
theconversation.com/helping-teac...
theconversation.com/helping-teac...
Today I play the role of 5th grade teacher. Lots of teachers out with now enough subs. #lifeofaresourceteacher
February 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Today I play the role of 5th grade teacher. Lots of teachers out with now enough subs. #lifeofaresourceteacher
We need IES!
Inefficiency Multiplied: What Happens When Research and Data are Halted at U.S. Dept. of Ed newamerica.org/education-po... via
@newamerica
Inefficiency Multiplied: What Happens When Research and Data are Halted at U.S. Dept. of Ed newamerica.org/education-po... via
@newamerica
Why We Need Research and Data at the U.S. Department of Ed
The Institute of Education Sciences funds research and data collection on how students are faring and what helps them succeed. Canceling research already underway will waste public dollars and set Ame...
newamerica.org
February 13, 2025 at 12:41 AM
We need IES!
Inefficiency Multiplied: What Happens When Research and Data are Halted at U.S. Dept. of Ed newamerica.org/education-po... via
@newamerica
Inefficiency Multiplied: What Happens When Research and Data are Halted at U.S. Dept. of Ed newamerica.org/education-po... via
@newamerica
Trump targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts www.npr.org/2025/02/10/n...
Trump administration targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is responsible for gathering data on a wide range of topics, including research-backed teaching practices and the state of U.S. student achievement.
www.npr.org
February 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Trump targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts www.npr.org/2025/02/10/n...
EdCounsel on why families with young students may be leaving Atlanta Public Schools educationcounsel.com/our_work/pub...
EducationCounsel - Early Grade Disenrollment in Atlanta Public Schools: Seeking Solutions Informed by Families of Young Children
Large urban school districts are currently facing a decline in early grade student enrollment as well as increased disenrollment, particularly among children and families of color and those living in ...
educationcounsel.com
February 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
EdCounsel on why families with young students may be leaving Atlanta Public Schools educationcounsel.com/our_work/pub...