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The field of literacy education is in a moment of real possibility.
Decades of research on cognitive science, instruction and classroom practice offer evidence-based approaches to improve literacy instruction and student learning—building blocks for a life of opportunity.
Yet, too often, parts of the literacy world exist in separate silos of academic disciplines, beliefs and practices. As we aimed to understand the research and lessons from practice, we sought a concise synthesis of the key research, framed with a holistic view of literacy instruction for a literacy leader audience. When we found none, we created this resource to fill that gap.
Building Strong Readers, Writers and Thinkers brings together key insights from research and learnings from our grantees to provide a fuller picture of effective literacy instruction. Our learnings are distilled into seven core ideas for literacy leaders, district decision-makers and partners working to strengthen literacy instruction and student outcomes. We also identify the conditions needed to bring coherent and effective literacy instruction to scale in school systems, including instructional materials and aligned practice-based professional learning, acceleration strategies, and a skilled, diverse and well-supported educator workforce.
Together, these insights may contribute to efforts to improve evidence-based literacy instruction, and provide a roadmap for creating classrooms where all students can grow as confident readers, writers and thinkers.
Quote from Frederick Douglass
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Seven Core Ideas For Strong Literacy Instruction
For students to thrive as readers, writers and thinkers, research suggests attending to these seven core ideas.
1. Literacy is a multifaceted discipline
Literacy is a multifaceted skill set that requires practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
2. Literacy is based in the science of the brain.
Literacy is based in the science of the brain. Neuroscience explains how we process and produce language and should inform strategies for instruction.
3. Foundational reading and writing skills are necessary, but not the finish line.
Language comprehension and knowledge building are critical to developing strong readers and writers—even at the earliest grade levels.
4. Knowledge unlocks comprehension and learning.
Students need and deserve knowledge-rich classroom experiences.
5. A volume of reading matters.
It is simple: The more students read, the more words and ideas they encounter.
6. A student’s cultural and linguistic background plays a critical role in shaping their learning experience.
Curriculum and instruction should engage students with meaningful and affirming content, texts and tasks.
7. Multilingualism is a superpower.
Educators must value the asset of multilingualism while providing explicit instruction.
To bring these seven core ideas into practice across a school district, we recommend paying attention to the following considerations:
- System coherence in both design and implementation;
- Adoption and use of high-quality instructional materials; and
- High-quality professional learning to support a skilled and diverse workforce.