Evidence-Based Practice

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Teacher Donnie Piercey goes over the results of a writing assignment called "Find the Bot" during his class at Stonewall Elementary in Lexington, Ky., Feb. 6, 2023.
Teacher Donnie Piercey reviews the products of a writing assignment during his class at Stonewall Elementary in Lexington, Ky., on Feb. 6, 2023.
Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo
Reading & Literacy First Reading. Then Math. Is the 'Science of Writing' Next?
Integrating reading and writing can lead to better student outcomes in both areas, studies show.
Sarah Schwartz, August 19, 2026
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4 min read
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School use exercises in phonemic awareness during literary instruction on March 19, 2025, in Concorn, N.C.
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School practice exercises in phonemic awareness during literary instruction on March 19, 2025, in Concorn, N.C. Consensus exists that teaching students alphabetics, including phonics and phonemic awareness, is critical for reading—but which methods are the most efficient?
Cornell Watson for Education Week
Reading & Literacy A New Phonics Debate Shows How the 'Science of Reading' Movement Is Evolving
Growing momentum behind 'linguistic' phonics has raised questions about how best to use classroom time.
Sarah Schwartz, August 13, 2026
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6 min read
Julie Celestial, center, teaches her kindergarten class a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach, California on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 . A new bill could change how literacy is taught in elementary schools by providing transitional kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers with training and textbooks that stress what's known as science of reading, an approach to literacy that focuses heavily on phonics and foundational reading skills to combat California's literacy crisis. Though other states have shifted to this evidence-based reading, California's reading instruction has largely been left to the control of school districts, many of which have not made the switch. The school has begun their shift to a science of reading approach and are seen as an example for other California districts.
Julie Celestial, center, teaches her kindergarten class a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach, Calif. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Proponents of a "speech-to-print" phonics approach say it works more efficiently than other methods. But research evidence is inconclusive.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via TNS
Reading & Literacy What is 'Linguistic' Phonics and Why Are Some Schools Adopting It?
A new question is emerging in the "science of reading": Is one type of phonics instruction better than another?
Sarah Schwartz, August 7, 2026
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8 min read
An illustration of a teacher and student overlooking blocks that represent bar charts going up, filled with illustrations of numbers, letters, math problems and books.
Illustration by Robert Neubecker for Education Week
Mathematics The ‘Science of Reading’ Movement Is Evolving. Is Math Next?
Schools can expect more change—and continued debate—as the push for evidence-based instruction continues.
Sarah Schwartz, August 3, 2026
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10 min read
AT LEFT, US Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) listens as US Senator Tim Kane (D-VA) speaks regarding the Special Education Administration Act (S. 5038), and the profit the transfer of certain offices to other Federal Agency (S.5046) Act during a Health, Education, Labor and Pension Executive Session at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., left, listens as U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee meeting at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 30, 2026. The committee advanced two bills related to reading, as well as another opposing the transfer of certain U.S. Department of Education offices to other agencies.
Demetrius Freeman for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Federal 'Science of Reading' Bill Advances
A Senate committee also passed a proposal to classify dyslexia separately under federal disability law.
Sarah Schwartz, July 31, 2026
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5 min read
A collage showing the dome top of the U.S. Capitol building and the facade of a high school building. An image of a hand holding a magnifying glass over a stack of documents is emerging between the two buildings.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Federal Opinion Why Local Control Over Education Won't Work Without Federal Support
The Trump administration's retreat leaves local education leaders vulnerable.
Dan Goldhaber & Vivian Wong, July 16, 2026
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6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Opinion ‘A Blessing and a Challenge’: What Teachers Think of the Science of Reading
In these classrooms, the recent push for foundational literacy skills has been transformational.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 13, 2026
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7 min read
A group of students lead by a teacher through an algebraic landscape. Guided learning of advanced math.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty
Mathematics Opinion How to Embrace the 'Science of Math' Without Abandoning Your Existing Curriculum
Teachers can improve mathematics instruction with these straightforward changes.
Danielle K. Hankins, July 9, 2026
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6 min read
DC Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new addition at Raymond Elementary School on the first day of school, on Aug. 28, 2023, in Washington.
Lewis Ferebee, the then-chancellor of the District of Columbia public schools, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Raymond Elementary School on the first day of school, on Aug. 28, 2023, in Washington. Ferebee was announced as EdReports’ new chief executive officer in May.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Curriculum Q&A Leader Says EdReports Is 'Evolving' and Still Critical for Curriculum Review
Lewis Ferebee says EdReports has responded to criticisms and is a useful tool in a sea of curriculum choices.
Mark Walsh, July 8, 2026
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5 min read
Classroom Technology Spotlight Spotlight on Digital Learning Done Right: Engaging Students With Research-Backed Tech
Learn how research-based digital learning, such as esports, AI, and robotics, engages students while building real-world tech skills.
June 29, 2026
readingPanel
A copy of one of the National Reading Panel's work products is shown in this June 17, 2026 photo. The influential report, now more than 25 years old, has long served as a cornerstone of the “science of reading” movement, shaping state legislation, curriculum, and teacher professional development.
Marvin Joseph/Education Week
Reading & Literacy Is It Time for Another National Reading Panel?
The panel's 2000 report on reading has influenced policy for years. Now, Congress is calling for an update.
Sarah Schwartz, June 17, 2026
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7 min read
Mississippi teachers and aspiring teachers attend a training session on a science-based reading program in April 2021.
Mississippi teachers and aspiring teachers attend a training session on a science-based reading program in April 2021. The state is among those that have mandated evidence-based approaches to teaching reading, but some of the nation's teacher-preparation programs are lagging.
Cheryl Gerber for Education Week
Teacher Preparation More Teacher-Preparation Programs Follow the 'Science of Reading.' But Some Still Lag
Roughly half of programs reviewed train teachers in the skills needed to teach reading effectively.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 9, 2026
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6 min read
Anjanette McNeely teaches a reading block with her kindergarten students at Windridge Elementary School in Kaysville, Utah, on Dec. 4, 2025.
Anjanette McNeely teaches a reading block with her kindergarten students at Windridge Elementary School in Kaysville, Utah, on Dec. 4, 2025. New research shows significant shifts in how teachers are teaching reading, as well as the materials and PD they receive, but some still use older methods.
Niki Chan Wylie for Education Week
Reading & Literacy How the Science of Reading Is Reshaping Teaching: What the Data Say
A nationally representative survey shows how reading curriculum, PD, and teacher practice have shifted.
Sarah Schwartz, April 29, 2026
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9 min read