American children are falling behind when it comes to reading skills. Research shows that 40% of students across the nation cannot read at a basic level, and nearly two-thirds of fourth graders are not considered reading proficient. This gap in literacy skills is prompting educators to seek out proven strategies to help learners catch up.
The science of reading is a research-based approach to teaching reading that draws on decades of cognitive science, linguistics and educational psychology. For educators, understanding the science of reading is crucial to providing effective, evidence-based instruction that meets the needs of all students. Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding, this post will help you utilize the elements of the science of reading in your teaching.
The science of reading is “a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing…that has culminated in a preponderance of evidence to inform how proficient reading and writing develop; why some have difficulty; and how we can most effectively assess and teach and, therefore, improve student outcomes through prevention of and intervention for reading difficulties.”
The research behind the science of reading comes from many different disciplines — cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, education and more — and provides educators with an evidence-based approach to reading instruction. Essentially, it focuses on how the brain learns to read and prioritizes explicit and systematic instruction to help learners build foundational reading skills.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reading gap has grown amongst new readers. This gap has sparked an increase in educators looking to study the science of reading to help these learners to get back on track in terms of their literacy milestones. It is important to note, however, that studying this work is relevant for many stakeholders beyond classroom teachers. We recommend the following groups consider studying reading science:
When teaching literacy, it is essential to understand that there are five primary elements of reading instruction. They are:
Beyond the five primary components, teaching reading skills also includes oral language development, spelling and writing instruction, motivating a learner to read and engage and a comprehensive background knowledge about the science of reading.
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There are many long-standing scientific studies that inform the science of reading. These findings reinforce the importance of explicit instruction utilizing the five foundational elements of reading skills and provide a research-based framework for how reading is learned and how reading difficulties can be prevented or addressed. While that list is exhaustive, here are some of the most notable:
Although the benefits of reading science are widely accepted, there are a few misconceptions about the methodologies and potential downfalls of these structures.
First, some believe that the science of reading promotes a phonics-only approach, meaning that phonics is the sole focus of reading instruction. In reality, the science of reading emphasizes that while phonics is a crucial component, it is just one part of a broader framework that includes vocabulary, comprehension and more. Additionally, the idea that reading science prescribes a one-size-fits-all solution for instruction is misleading. Effective reading instruction needs to be responsive to the diverse needs of students, which means utilizing different strategies based on an individual’s strengths, their learning challenges and their prior knowledge.
Another misconception is that reading comprehension develops naturally, but research shows that comprehension skills must be actively taught and supported through direct instruction. There is also a misunderstanding that reading fluency is the same as speed, which misses the mark. Fluency involves more than just reading quickly, it also includes accuracy, expression and comprehension. Finally, while reading programs are helpful, they are not enough on their own. The research behind the science of reading shows us that effective reading instruction requires ongoing, intentional teacher guidance, practice and assessment.
Understanding the science of reading is one thing, but putting these methodologies into practice is another. Here are some strategies that help educators effectively root their instruction in the science of reading, leading to better outcomes for all students.
Phonics instruction:
Decoding text:
Practice fluency:
Vocabulary building:
Comprehension strategies:
Integrate writing and spelling:
Many educators will tell you that they witness the benefits of science-based reading instruction in their classrooms every day. And because the science of reading is based on data and research, we have research-backed proof points of the benefits of utilizing these approaches to teaching literacy. Some of these benefits include:
For decades, the science of reading has helped educators utilize effective strategies to teach literacy skills to learners of all levels and ages. And while the benefits of reading science are widely known, not every teacher has learned the ins and outs of these processes. At the University of San Diego, we are excited to now offer an online course, “Understanding and Implementing the Science of Reading.” Through this course, educators will be introduced to the different elements that comprise the science of reading and demonstrate how to implement them into their school setting.
A: The science of reading is “a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.” It is important because it focuses on how the brain learns to read and prioritizes explicit and systematic instruction to help learners build foundational reading skills.
A: The first step to implement reading science in your classroom is to learn the fundamental elements and effective implementation strategies. The Understanding and Implementing the Science of Reading course at the University of San Diego does just that, as well as helps educators recognize the advantages of the science of reading on student success.
Not at all — instructional approaches based on the science of reading are consistently shown to benefit readers of all skill levels.
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