5/14/2024

Five Reasons Your District Needs to Adopt the Science of Reading

Veteran educators know that in education, there is a constant drive to get the best outcomes for students. To wit, many states have passed legislation to prioritize science of reading-based curricula for consistent reading instruction across districts. As district leaders charged with advancing student literacy outcomes, it is imperative to understand why research-backed instruction is not just beneficial but crucial for the success of your district.

The Science of Reading: Foundational Skills

We know 95% of people can learn to read when given instruction based in the science of reading. However, some curricula focus too heavily on using “cues” to determine the words on the page rather than sound decoding strategies. Educators who understand how students learn to read and focus on the following foundational skills can enhance literacy outcomes for all students.

• Phonemic Awareness: Developing students' awareness of individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words, a crucial skill for decoding and spelling.
• Phonics Instruction: Systematic and explicit phonics instruction helps students understand the relationships between letters and sounds to improve decoding skills.
• Vocabulary Development: Vocabulary instruction enhances comprehension and promotes a rich and varied language experience for students.
• Fluency: The ability to decode and read with accuracy, speed, and expression helps develop comprehension and builds reading stamina.
• Reading Comprehension: Processing and understanding the meaning of decoded words expands students’ critical thinking, working memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.

Five Reasons to Adopt Science of Reading-Based Instruction

With some background about the what and how of science of reading instructional practices, consider the why behind implementation. Here are five important reasons your district needs to shift to an evidence-based curriculum and support resources:

1. Students will gain strong foundational skills

When provided instruction based in the science of reading, students gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of how written (and spoken) language functions. They’re given the tools to effectively decode and unlock any word, including new words they’ve never seen before. This is vital for the all-important shift from learning to read to reading to learn in late elementary and middle school.

2. Adolescent students will know how to effectively comprehend texts

Reading comprehension is a key component of science of reading-based instruction. The Simple View of Reading tells us that the key to reading comprehension is the multiplication of word recognition and language comprehension—one without the other will not produce effective comprehension of written texts. Students with effective reading comprehension skills have the ability to excel in their adolescent years in all subject areas because they can not only decode the language but understand its purpose.

Word Recognition x Language Comprehension = Reading Comprehension

3. Districts will see an improvement in academic performance

Since more than 85% of instruction is delivered via text in the secondary classroom, effective reading skills are paramount to student success. As students gain the foundational skills behind word recognition, language comprehension, and reading comprehension, their overall academic performance will improve—not just their English Language Arts performance. For example, the entire state of Mississippi saw movement in NAEP scores after undergoing comprehensive science of reading implementation.

2019 NAEP Report Card for Reading

4. Graduates will have long-term socioeconomic benefits

As LeVar Burton and Kareem Weaver point out in their documentary, “The Right to Read,” reading is a civil right. Without literacy, people are less likely to or fully unable to apply for jobs, vote in elections, or perform work that requires any language skills. With literacy, a world of opportunity opens up to every student.

5. Legislation demands it

Perhaps the most compelling reason to adopt the science of reading is the tidal wave of legislative change sweeping over the country. While your state or district may not legally require a move away from ineffective balanced literacy practices today, it’s likely these changes may happen in the future. All the better to begin assessing what implementation would look like for a smooth transition.

Addressing Literacy Growth

One of the most pressing challenges in education is addressing the opportunity for literacy growth among students. Your district can specifically target these opportunities and ensure all students have a solid foundation in reading using the insight from linguistics, cognitive science, and educational psychology integral to the science of reading. A few useful strategies to employ immediately in your district include:

1. Early Intervention: Early intervention is key to improving literacy growth early on. The science of reading emphasizes the importance of identifying reading troubles early and providing targeted interventions. Incorporating early intervention programs informed by this approach can help your district improve reading proficiency long term.
2. Professional Development: Professional development is vital to equipping educators with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective instructional practices. Embracing the science of reading entails investing in comprehensive professional development programs that train teachers and staff in evidence-based literacy instruction methods to ensure educators are equipped to deliver high-quality instruction.
3. Effective Instruction: At the heart of the science of reading is a commitment to data-driven instruction that aligns with research about how literacy learning occurs. By leveraging data to inform instructional decisions and adhering to evidence-based practices, your district can maximize the effectiveness of literacy instruction. This not only improves student outcomes but also ensures instructional approaches are grounded in scientific research.

Lexia: Leading the Way in Science of Reading Implementation

As you embark on the journey of adopting the science of reading in your district, partnering with a trusted resource can make all the difference. Lexia® is at the forefront of science of reading-based literacy implementation, offering a suite of products designed to make adoption easy and personalized. From research-based instructional materials to effective professional learning programs, Lexia provides the tools and support necessary to transform literacy instruction in your district.

The science of reading is not just another passing trend in education; it is a research-backed approach that has the power to vastly improve literacy instruction and outcomes for all students. By embracing this approach, your district can ensure alignment with standards, address literacy gaps, provide early intervention and professional development, and deliver effective instruction grounded in decades of scientific research. With Lexia by your side, implementing the science of reading is accessible, efficient, and, most importantly, impactful.