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Reading Research Overview

What are the key lessons from reading research? How can we apply them in the classroom? This section provides the context and the evidence base for what we offer on Reading Universe.

10 Maxims: What We've Learned So Far About How Children Learn to Read

Over the last 50 years, there's been a vast outpouring of research about reading development. Dr. G. Reid Lyon, a research scientist and neuropsychologist who oversaw the reading research program at the National Institutes of Health, distills the most essential findings into 10 maxims all teachers should know.

Smiling girl reading book in class
  • a representative group of students in the U.S.

    How the U.S. Is Doing with Reading Instruction

    How well we teach our kids to read has long-term implications for their lives and for the functioning of a democratic society. So how are we doing as a country? Dr. Sean Reardon and Sadie Richardson of Stanford University dig into the numbers from national and international assessments. 

    Read About U.S. Scores
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    English Learners and Reading Research

    More than 5 million students in grades pre-K-12 in the United States are classified as English Learners. Dr. Claude Goldenberg, professor emeritus at Stanford University, addresses whether and how reading research applies to this population. 

    Find Out More
  • Woman reading a book at a library table

    Reading Research: 12 Articles to Get Started

    This list offers an entry point if you want to explore the seminal studies about literacy. These articles and reports collectively capture some of the ideas, evidence, and debate about what it takes to teach reading most effectively.

    Get Started

Reading Universe is made possible by generous support from Jim & Donna Barksdale, the AFT, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, and three anonymous donors.

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