Early Literacy

Learn more about the curriculum and methods used to teach young children the literacy skills they need to read and write, including phonics

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Why Putting the 'Science of Reading' Into Practice Is So Challenging
Philosophical disagreements, a rushed rollout, and a lack of ready-to-use materials have complicated one state's journey.
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Researchers have uncovered an intervention helping schools achieve early literacy success at scale. Learn how to bring it to your district.
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Teacher holding up a card with the letters "sh" and a young elementary student writing with pencil on paper. The desk shows other cards with letters and a tablet device.
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Reading & Literacy Researchers Created a Phonics Program With ‘Dramatic’ Results. How It Works
Consistent implementation of the 30-minute-a-day program fueled the results.
Sarah Schwartz, January 17, 2025
4 min read
Reading & Literacy Spotlight Spotlight on the Early Learning Success: Literacy and Math Foundations
This Spotlight will help you explore phonemic awareness instruction, developing math fluency through problem-solving, and more.
January 15, 2025
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Inclusive Literacy: A Handbook for School Administrators
Gain insights, strategies, and tools to implement equitable, evidence-based practices; support teacher growth; and drive schoolwide literacy success.
Content provided by Lexia Learning
A middle aged caucasian teacher helps an multi-racial elementary school girl with word cards at the young girl's desk.
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Reading & Literacy Does Teaching 'Sight Words' Contradict the Science of Reading?
Simple words like "the" and "of" are everywhere, but don't follow regular phonics patterns. How should teachers approach them?
Sarah Schwartz, January 10, 2025
6 min read
First grader Makai Parker practices reading skills at Eastern Elementary School in Washington, N.C. The state of North Carolina is taking measures to improve reading rates in elementary schools, including this first grade classroom at Eastern Elementary in Washington, N.C.
First grader Makai Parker practices reading skills at Eastern Elementary School in Washington, N.C. The state of North Carolina is taking measures to improve reading rates in elementary schools, including this first grade classroom at Eastern Elementary in Washington, N.C.
Kate Medley for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Video Video: Why Are Parents Suing Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell?
All you need to know about the lawsuit targeting popular literacy gurus Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pinnell.
Stephen Sawchuk & Lauren Santucci, December 17, 2024
5:00
An elementary student reads on his own in class.
An elementary student reads on his own in class.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy Here's What Happens Next on the Calkins, Fountas & Pinnell Curriculum Lawsuit
The reading series were deceptively marketed as backed by research, despite omitting key instructional elements, the lawsuit claims.
Sarah Schwartz, December 6, 2024
7 min read
Teaching and tutoring online to a young child at home.
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Reading & Literacy What the Research Says What’s in the ‘Secret Sauce’ That Made This Virtual Reading Tutoring Work?
High attendance, well-trained tutors, and trusting relationships helped close learning gaps.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 5, 2024
4 min read
Two students in a combined second- and third-grade class read together.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy 4 Things to Know About the Literacy Lawsuit Targeting Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell
A novel lawsuit could open a new front in the reading wars. Here's what you need to know.
Evie Blad, December 5, 2024
6 min read
Volunteer teacher reading to a class of preschool kids, preschool age; school children; students.
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Reading & Literacy Parents Sue Lucy Calkins, Fountas and Pinnell, and Others Over Reading Curricula
A first-of-its-kind lawsuit targets creators of whole-language reading curricula.
Evie Blad, December 4, 2024
6 min read
Reading & Literacy Spotlight Spotlight on Inclusive Literacy Resources & Tools
This Spotlight will help you explore innovative strategies and resources to support diverse learners.
December 3, 2024
Illustration of two cliffs with a woman on one side and a man on the other. Both of them are holding a half of a cog wheel and bringing the two pieces together to bridge the gap between them.
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Teacher Preparation Q&A How This Teacher-Prep Program and District Aligned on the Science of Reading
In Tennessee, a small network of schools and universities are aligning future teachers' coursework with evidence-based literacy practices.
Sarah Schwartz, November 18, 2024
8 min read
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Literacy Success: How Districts Are Closing Reading Gaps Fast
67% of 4th graders read below grade level. Learn how high-dosage virtual tutoring is closing the reading gap in schools across the country.
Content provided by Ignite Reading
Illustration of stacked books and ladder.
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Reading & Literacy Do Leveled Books Have Any Place in the Classroom?
As the "science of reading" movement has spread, predictable texts for beginning readers have come under fire.
Sarah Schwartz, October 14, 2024
6 min read