Selecting a Literacy Program

Schools currently have the most diverse student learning populations in history, so if you want to tackle literacy in your school, you'll need programs that effectively personalize reading instruction now more than ever. Applying a science of reading-based approach is the best decision available to school leaders wanting to provide an inclusive and equitable approach to literacy instruction—and ultimately show improvement across the board. The right Structured Literacy program can provide educators the tools and resources to support all students, regardless of their backgrounds.

In this blog, we’ll discuss which literacy program components matter most, which organizations to trust when deciding, and how to select programs that are both high-quality and results-driven.

What Makes an Effective Literacy Program

A full breakdown of the science of reading components outlines the six essential elements that literacy programs must contain—but ironically, nearly half of educators did not learn these in pre-service teaching. Effective solutions can help link teacher training and classroom instructional support, so let’s take a look at these important components.

Phonemic Awareness

Could you read the word “read” correctly if you didn’t know what the letter “r” is or represents? Students first must be able to hear, blend, segment, and manipulate individual sounds in a word. The National Reading Panel recommends that students learn to manipulate phonemes with letters; instruction explicitly focuses on one or two types of phoneme manipulations (rather than multiple) and is done in small groups.

Phonics Instruction

Phonics helps students know the sounds letters represent and decode written words. Research shows systematic phonics instruction gives all beginning readers a higher chance of proficiency.

Vocabulary

To be proficient, students must have a strong vocabulary and understand the meaning of words and how they are used in different contexts. 

Fluency

Fluency is a particularly important step for all readers—especially for Emergent Bilingual students—because strong oral fluency skills affect how successfully a student acquires language. Fluency bridges to reading or decoding words and comprehension.

Comprehension

As demonstrated in the Simple View of Reading, reading comprehension requires students to recognize written words, translate them to spoken language, and find meaning. Lacking in either skill results in reading failure.

Writing

When students read proficiently, they must also articulate their thoughts in writing to demonstrate knowledge, fully express themselves, and communicate solutions to problems. Writing is a final and essential skill that is often overlooked in literacy programs. 

Individualized Instruction and Equity

Every student learns differently, and to ensure every student masters reading, educators need to meet students exactly where they are. Tailoring instruction to meet each student's learning needs requires data-driven insight that pinpoints the specific skills students need support with and provides easily accessible resources to differentiate instruction.

Standards to Assess a Structured Literacy Program

While many companies produce their own research to prove efficacy, objective third-party evaluation removes bias and serves as an independent check on program claims. When comparing programs, consider whether a diverse and comprehensive body of evidence backs them. If they meet the industry standards outlined by the following organizations, you can feel confident in your selections.

• Evidence for ESSA: Sometimes called the “Consumer Reports” of education programs, Evidence for ESSA is an independent review organization that provides authoritative information about programs that meet the ESSA evidence standards. Product ratings demonstrate how well programs meet federal standards for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). For instance, Lexia literacy programs earned the highest rating—Strong—at elementary and secondary levels. 

• What Works Clearinghouse (WWC): For more than a decade, the WWC has been a central and trusted source of scientific evidence on education programs, products, practices, and policies. It reviews the research, determines which studies meet rigorous standards, and summarizes the findings so you know what’s most effective for learning.

• Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE): This global nonprofit association publishes CASE Global standards that allow schools to benchmark progress, demonstrate success, and provide criteria to evaluate the most effective programs. 

Selecting a Literacy Program for Your School

When the stakes are high, every leader wants to ensure their investment will work and become a go-to resource for teachers. These important steps simplify the decision-making process.

1. Determine your needs. Consider your current curriculum, school goals, teacher capacity, and where instructional or resource gaps exist. Leaders can lean on performance data for insight and objective evaluations. 
   
   

2. Seek input. No one leader has all the answers, so it’s important to involve several key stakeholders. Different perspectives help build a more complete picture of what works and what ties educators' hands. For instance, Craven County School District in North Carolina sought teacher input when it needed a supplemental literacy program And found that educators wanted robust, ready-to-use science of reading resources to better address foundational reading skills for Emergent Bilingual students.

3. Consider differentiation. With so many diverse learning needs in today’s classrooms, it's important to review how you’ll help educators personalize instruction and address gaps before they happen. Leveraging the power of adaptive technology and personalized instruction, Structured Literacy programs help educators advance students step by step, starting precisely with the skills students need most. 

4. Look for blended learning. Determine if the program integrates seamlessly with classroom instruction. A high-quality program offers a balance of online and in-person learning approaches so teachers remain at the center of student learning. 

5. Find your stamps of approval. In addition to peer-reviewed studies, take the time to check user reviews and see what educators say about a program's performance, ease of use, and how well it fits into their daily routine. Then consider if the program aligns with current state and federal best practices, including those from the International Dyslexia Association. The closer the curriculum mirrors the golden rules of reading, the more likely students will excel. 

Ultimately, schools can provide every student with the skills they need to succeed, and literacy is the foundation of that journey. By choosing programs grounded in the science of reading, leaders can address the diverse needs of today’s learners with strategies that truly make a difference. Help foster a love of reading and ensure you get the most out of your literacy initiative by trying these steps for developing a Structured Literacy program.