Science of Reading
What the research really says about how children learn to read.
What Is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading is the large, converging body of research on how children learn to read — and what that evidence means for instruction. In practice, it points to explicit, systematic phonics inside a structured-literacy approach.
The guides below put that evidence to work, covering the structured-literacy practices and instructional routines that research consistently supports.
AI Tutoring Apps and Phonics: Promising or Problematic?
AI-powered reading tools have moved from novelty to a common fixture in classrooms. By 2026, adaptive phonics apps and AI reading tutors are in…
Read articleScience of Reading Legislation: A State-by-State Overview
Over the past five years, 42 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws or adopted policies requiring schools to teach reading using…
Read articleDyslexia Myths That Are Still Hurting Kids
If misinformation about dyslexia were harmless, this article wouldn’t need to exist. But the myths still circulating in schools, pediatric offices,…
Read articleThe Dyslexia-Phonics Connection: Why Structured Literacy Is Non-Negotiable
If you’re reading this because something feels off with your child’s reading, trust that instinct. Roughly one in five kids in any classroom shows…
Read articlePhonics Scope and Sequence: What It Is and Why It Matters
Imagine handing a child a jigsaw puzzle with no picture on the box and no guidance about where to begin. A few kids might figure it out eventually,…
Read articleThe Alphabetic Principle: The One Concept That Changes Everything for Both Teachers and Parents
Right now, you’re reading these words without thinking about how you’re doing it. Your brain is instantly converting letters into sounds and sounds…
Read articleAdministrative Support for Phonics Programs: What Leaders Need to Know
School administrators face an enormous challenge. Reading scores have declined, the achievement gap persists, and teachers are stretched thin as they…
Read articleParent Pushback: Addressing Concerns About Phonics Instruction
You’ve just announced that your school is implementing a new systematic phonics program. You expect relief. After all, reading scores have been…
Read articleWhy Most Teachers Weren’t Taught to Teach Phonics
If you’re a parent whose child is struggling to read, you might wonder why their teacher seems uncertain about phonics instruction. It’s a fair…
Read articleFrequently asked questions
Where should I start with science of reading?
Start with the overview at the top, then use the topics list to jump to the area that matches your needs. Each topic links to a fuller guide.
Who are these science of reading pages for?
Both parents and teachers. The guidance is practical and jargon-free, with classroom and at-home applications throughout.
How often is this guidance updated?
We review our phonics guidance regularly against current reading research, so recommendations stay evidence-based.
Related Sections
Phonics 101
Core concepts, sequencing, and the instructional foundations behind effective phonics teaching.
Explore Phonics 101 →
Phonics Skills
Individual decoding skills from letter sounds and CVC words through vowel teams and syllable types.
Explore Skills →
Struggling Readers
Intervention, dyslexia-informed support, multilingual considerations, and progress monitoring.
Explore Support →