Insights That Strengthen Literacy Instruction
From expert tips and implementation guides to interviews with educators and updates on the Science of Reading, our blog is here to inspire and inform.
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Tier 2 Reading Intervention: What It Is, Who It's For, and How to Staff It
Tier 2 reading intervention is targeted, small-group instruction added on top of core teaching for students with a specific skill gap: what it is, who it is for, and how to staff it well.
August 4, 20265 min read
How MTSS Supports Literacy: A Framework Guide for K–3 Leaders
MTSS organizes literacy into escalating tiers: strong core instruction for all (Tier 1), targeted intervention for some (Tier 2), and intensive help for a few (Tier 3), guided by screening and progress monitoring.
August 3, 20266 min read
What Are Reading Intervention Programs? A Guide for School Administrators
Reading intervention programs are structured, supplemental instruction for students behind in reading: how Tier 2 and Tier 3 differ, what effective programs share, and how to evaluate your options.
July 31, 20266 min read
Orton-Gillingham vs. Structured Literacy: What's the Difference?
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy are not rival methods. Orton-Gillingham is the original multisensory approach for teaching reading; structured literacy is the broader, science-of-reading term it sits inside.
July 30, 20265 min read
How to Implement a Structured Literacy Program School-Wide Without Overwhelming Your Staff
The way to implement structured literacy school-wide without overwhelming staff is to phase it: build knowledge and leadership first, pair each new practice with coaching, protect time, and expand as practice takes hold.
July 29, 20266 min read
What Does Structured Literacy Instruction Look Like in a K–3 Classroom?
In a structured literacy K–3 classroom, the teacher shows children exactly how written language works rather than hoping they infer it: explicit skills, decodable texts, and decoding over guessing.
July 28, 20266 min read
Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy: A Side-by-Side Comparison for School Leaders
How the two approaches differ on instruction, evidence, fit with MTSS, and real cost, so you can make the decision with your eyes open.
July 21, 20265 min read
How to Evaluate Whether a Literacy Program Is Truly Evidence-Based
Six questions every curriculum committee should ask before signing a contract, because "evidence-based" is a starting point for evaluation, not the end of it.
July 20, 20267 min read
What Does ESSA Tier III Evidence Actually Require?
The precise bar for "Promising" evidence, how correlational studies differ from quasi-experimental and experimental ones, and what to check before you trust a vendor's Tier III claim.
July 17, 20267 min read
ESSA Evidence Tiers Explained: What Tier 1, 2, and 3 Mean for Your Curriculum Purchase
A plain-language procurement guide to ESSA's four evidence tiers, which ones your funding requires, and how to read a vendor's evidence claims before you buy.
July 16, 20267 min read
What Is Structured Literacy? Definition, Components, and Why It Works
The International Dyslexia Association's framework for teaching reading, what it includes, how it differs from typical instruction, and why the research supports it.
July 15, 20268 min read
Science of Reading vs. Whole Language: Why This Debate Still Matters in 2026
The research has largely settled the question, yet the disagreement still surfaces in board meetings and parent emails. Here is the real difference, and how to explain it.
July 2, 20267 min read
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