Evidence-Based Practice

Read more about educational practices backed by research
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
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Mathematics Letter to the Editor Don’t Dismiss the ‘Science of Math’ Movement
Standards of evidence must be applied consistently if ed. policy is to improve student outcomes.
April 24, 2026
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1 min read
5th grade classroom in February. A morpheme word sort, sentence combining practice, and syntax surgery.
In a 5th grade classroom at Rock Rest Elementary, near Charlotte, N.C., students practice combining sentences and participate in "syntax surgery" to order the parts of complex sentence.<br/>
Madison Hart, Rock Rest Elementary
Reading & Literacy How a School's Language Lab Teaches Non-Phonics Reading Skills
In 'language lab,' teachers work on vocabulary and syntax to help students understand complex text.
Sarah Schwartz, April 15, 2026
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5 min read
Reading & Literacy Quiz Risk vs. Reward: How Defensible Is Your Literacy Strategy?
Build a stronger case for your literacy approach. Test your knowledge of research-driven strategies that support reading success with this quick quiz.
April 13, 2026
Wed., March 25, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Kassandra Geyer teaches phonics to her Intervention class for struggling students on Nov. 8, 2024 at Horizon Elementary School in Port Orange, Fla.
A teacher teaches phonics to her intervention class for struggling students on Nov. 8, 2024 at an elementary school in Port Orange, Fla. Research points definitively to phonics as a key part of learning to read—but not how much phonics instruction, or for how long, students should ideally receive.
Zack Wittman for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Phonics Is Crucial. But How Much Is Too Much?
An influential researcher in the science of reading movement is warns schools may be "overteaching" the skill.
Sarah Schwartz, March 11, 2026
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6 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
Curriculum Opinion What Policymakers Get Wrong About 'High-Quality' Curriculum
Schools can't fix instruction without fixing curriculum, Doug Lemov warns.
Rick Hess, March 10, 2026
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10 min read
Information overload concept
Education Week + Getty
Reading & Literacy Opinion Has Our Zeal for the Science of Reading Created a Cycle of Confusion?
I’m an Orton-Gillingham-certified teacher. Here’s why the spread of new programs troubles me.
Stacy Davies, March 6, 2026
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3 min read
Figures tend to a student shaped garden
Mary Hassdyk Vooys for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Is Your School’s SEL Strategy Working? The Questions Every Educator Should Ask
The evidence for social and emotional learning is strong, but the field is messy.
Christina Cipriano, March 2, 2026
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5 min read
Students at an elementary school make their way to the cafeteria past reminders of the education and subjects they are receiving on March 8, 2024, in Chicago.
Students at a Chicago elementary school make their way to the cafeteria past logos showing the core subjects they study on March 8, 2024. The state of Illinois has launched an effort to offer school districts guidance on effective strategies in math.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Mathematics As States Eye Math Reform, How Prescriptive Should They Be?
Illinois is among the states aiming to revamp math, but a question remains: How hard should it push?
Sarah Schwartz, February 27, 2026
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5 min read
In 2025, the Texas Legislature mandated professional development for classroom teachers, math coaches, interventionists, and building leaders working with students in grades K-3 in a bid to shore up math teaching in the state. The Texas State Capitol is shown on the first day of a special session on July 8, 2021, in Austin.
The Texas State Capitol on the first day of the 87th Legislature's special session on July 8, 2021 in Austin. In 2025, Texas lawmakers mandated professional development for classroom teachers, math coaches, interventionists, and building leaders working with students in grades K-3.
Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images via TNS
Mathematics More States Are Calling for Math Reform. Will It Improve Student Outcomes?
National math scores are sitting at historic lows. But experts disagree on how to raise achievement.
Sarah Schwartz, February 13, 2026
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7 min read
Students look at books during a book fair at Schaumburg Elementary, part of the ReNEW charter network, in New Orleans, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have seen a promising turnaround in their student reading scores after passing a series of similar literacy reforms.
Students look at books during a book fair at Schaumburg Elementary, part of the ReNEW charter network, in New Orleans, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have seen a promising turnaround in their student reading scores after passing a series of similar literacy reforms.
Gerald Herbert/AP
Reading & Literacy Congress Wants to Know What Makes the 'Science of Reading' Work
Experts noted states' careful implementation—and the key role of federal investment in reading research.
Sarah Schwartz, February 10, 2026
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6 min read