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.
Reading scores are up! School children jump for joy because they have learned to read.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Reading & Literacy Opinion Bringing the Science of Reading to Your School? Remember This One Thing
The science of reading can’t succeed without the art of teaching.
Scott Gaynor, April 29, 2025
3 min read
A conceptual vector image of a person pronouncing phonemes while another person observes the soundwaves under a magnifying glass.
iStock/Getty Images + Education Week
Reading & Literacy What the Research Says Are Early-Reading Laws Changing Teaching Practices?
Laws mandating shifts in professional development and training don't always give teachers curriculum support.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 25, 2025
6 min read
A glowing open book with a glowing light bulb against a dark blue background.
iStock/Getty
Reading & Literacy 'Science of Reading’ Advocates Underscore: It’s Not Just About Phonics
At the Reading League's annual summit in Chicago, leaders hoped to change the narrative.
Sarah Schwartz, April 24, 2025
7 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Reading & Literacy Webinar
Trust in Science of Reading to Improve Intervention Outcomes
There’s no time to waste when it comes to literacy. Getting intervention right is critical. Learn best practices, tangible examples, and tools proven to improve reading outcomes.
Content provided by 95 Percent Group LLC
A teacher sits on the floor of the classroom with three young children as she reads a story allowed to them.  The children are huddled n closely and are listening attentively.
E+
Reading & Literacy More States Are Taking Aim at a Controversial Early Reading Method
Lawmakers in some states are trying to ban the "cueing" approach, which asks students to rely on pictures or context clues to identify words.
Sarah Schwartz, April 16, 2025
6 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Letter to the Editor Reading Comprehension Matters
Focusing on evidence-based teaching practices is critical when teaching students how to read, says this letter to the editor.
April 15, 2025
1 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
States Opinion How One State Improved Its NAEP Scores
Louisiana's state schools chief discusses the importance of reading and math instruction and "letting teachers teach."
Rick Hess, April 3, 2025
6 min read
Hispanic schoolteacher reading aloud to her young students
E+ / Getty
Reading & Literacy What the Research Says Want to Improve Early Reading Comprehension? Start With Sentence Structure
We speak differently than we write. For comprehension development, children need exposure to syntax common to both.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 2, 2025
2 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Reading & Literacy Whitepaper
Reading by Design: Science & Systems to Support All Readers
Structured Literacy supports all students, especially those with dyslexia, by providing evidence-based instruction.
Content provided by Lexia Learning
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School use mirrors to see themselves sounding out words for phonemic awareness during literary instruction in Concern, N.C., on March 19, 2025.
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School use mirrors to see themselves sounding out words for phonemic awareness during literary instruction in Concern, N.C., on March 19, 2025.
Cornell Watson for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Video How Everyday Objects Can Strengthen Phonemic Awareness
Teachers can create homegrown kits to help students master phonemic awareness—how to manipulate the sounds in English.
Lauren Santucci, March 27, 2025
2:17
A figure stands above pool in form of book, ready to jump in fantastic world of imagination and inspiration. Concept of knowledge, literature, education, literacy, reading, writing, phonics.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Anton Vierietin/iStock + Getty Images
Reading & Literacy Opinion If Literacy Is a Priority, Why Do We Cling to the Wrong Practices?
There have been two huge developments this year related to how we teach reading.
Mike Schmoker, March 25, 2025
4 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Reading & Literacy Whitepaper
Science of Reading Guide to Intervention
The Science of Reading Guide to Intervention provides best practices, tangible examples, and tools that are proven to strengthen student ...
Content provided by 95 Percent Group
Close-up photograph of a young girl writing in a workbook while doing her elementary school work.
iStock/Getty
Reading & Literacy Spellcheck Won't Cut It. Here's Why Kids Need Spelling Instruction
Spelling instruction has waned in recent years. Literacy experts explain why schools need to revive it.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 25, 2025
4 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Opinion How a Podcast About Reading Promoted Sweeping Instructional Changes
Emily Hanford catalyzed the "science of reading" push but has mixed feelings about some reforms that followed.
Rick Hess, February 18, 2025
8 min read