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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Staci Pollock teaches reading comprehension to her second grade class at Lacy Elementary in Raleigh, N.C., on May 25, 2022.
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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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
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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
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4 min read
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
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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
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8 min read
Collage illustration of students learning to read, literacy
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/Getty Images
Reading & Literacy Opinion Don’t Blame ‘Science of Reading’ for Low Scores
We need better teacher training, the right materials, and engaging literacy-rich programs for schools, writes Angélica Infante-Green.
Angélica Infante-Green, February 10, 2025
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5 min read
Reading & Literacy Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Cultivating Student Engagement in Reading?
Answer 7 questions about cultivating student engagement in reading.
February 10, 2025
Professional Development Spotlight Spotlight on PD for the Science of Reading
This Spotlight will help you discover how to help students develop conceptual understanding, effectively teach word problems, and more.



January 31, 2025
Assistant Principal Beth Bearor and kindergartener Rhys Gallup practice letters and letter sounds while walking through a rope ladder during P.E. teacher Robyn Newton’s action-based learning class at Vergennes Union Elementary School in Vergennes, Vt., on Nov. 18, 2024.
Assistant Principal Beth Bearor and kindergartener Rhys Gallup practice letters and letter sounds while walking through a rope ladder during P.E. teacher Robyn Newton’s action-based learning class at Vergennes Union Elementary School in Vergennes, Vt., on Nov. 18, 2024.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Video This School Keeps Kids Moving All Day. See How It Works
Inside a school where movement is woven into academics throughout the day.
Jaclyn Borowski, January 28, 2025
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4:11
Professional Development Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Professional Development?
Answer 7 questions about literacy-focused professional development.
January 27, 2025
Fri., January 24, 2025, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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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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Professional Development Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Effective Literacy Professional Learning?
Answer 8 questions about effective literacy PD.
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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.
iStock/Getty
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
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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
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
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6 min read
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