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.
Richard Evans, a teacher at Hyde Park Elementary School, helps a student sound out a word during a reading circle in class on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Richard Evans, a teacher at Hyde Park Elementary School, helps a student sound out a word during a reading circle in class on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Federal support for reading has waxed and waned over the years, and now the Trump Administration says it will prioritize "evidence-based" reading supports in its grant programs.
Joshua Bessex/AP
Reading & Literacy Trump's Ed. Dept. Wants to Fund 'Evidence-Based' Reading. What Will That Mean for Schools?
The agency has placed literacy squarely on its agenda amid an ongoing national "science of reading" movement.
Sarah Schwartz, May 27, 2025
9 min read
031225 Reading Month Thumbnail KM BS
Kate Medley for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Court Dismisses Reading Lawsuit Against Lucy Calkins, Other 'Balanced Literacy' Proponents
Parents alleged the reading materials had been fraudulently marketed, but a federal court declined to adjudicate the research behind the programs.
Sarah Schwartz, May 22, 2025
4 min read
Third grader Parker, left, and a classmate at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., practice reading on April 12, 2023. After falling behind in the early days of the pandemic, Parker started this school year reading at the level of a first grader. He did months of phonics drills and small-group work, and made tremendous progress. "I actually do like reading now," Parker said.
Third grader Parker, left, and a classmate at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., practice reading on April 12, 2023. Parker started this school year reading at the level of a 1st grader, but caught up after months of phonics drills and small-group work. Kansas doesn't retain 3rd graders based on reading scores, but many states that do now provide similar supports to students at risk of repeating the grade.
Nicholas Ingram/AP
Reading & Literacy What the Research Says Is 3rd Grade Retention the Secret to Better Reading Outcomes—Or Something Else?
A new study suggests that the benefit to kids doesn’t actually come from having them repeat a grade.
Sarah Schwartz, May 21, 2025
5 min read
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Reading scores are up! School children jump for joy because they have learned to read.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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