This toolkit helps families learn about evidence-based literacy practices in preschool through grade three and how they can be used to support all children's literacy needs in schools.

You will learn:

  • What is meant by evidence-based literacy practices
  • What are examples and non-examples of evidence-based literacy practices
  • How evidence-based literacy practices can support all children’s literacy needs, including those with dyslexia and other disabilities

This toolkit includes:

  • Online Course
  • Tools & Resources

Online Course

Boy reading book

This course includes five lessons. Parents and family members will learn what is meant by evidence-based literacy practices, examples and non-examples of evidence-based literacy practices, and how evidence-based literacy practices can support all children’s literacy needs, including those with dyslexia and other disabilities, all in an interactive online experience. Approximate course length: 30-45 minutes.

Supporting Materials

Evidence-based Literacy Practices Defined

Not all literacy programs and instructional strategies used in schools have been rigorously evaluated and align with the scientific research on literacy instruction. These resources will help you identify  evidence-based literacy practices.

U.S. Department of Education

This video from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education overviews the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the federal K-12 education law of the United States.

Topic: Evidence-based

REL-SE

This infographic from REL-SE defines key parts of an experimental study and explains what else should be considered when reviewing a experimental study.

Topic: Evidence-based

REL-SE

This infographic from REL-SE defines key parts of a quasi-experimental study and explains other considerations when reviewing a quasi-experimental study.

Topic: Evidence-based

REL-SE

This infographic from REL-SE defines key parts of a correlational study and explains other considerations when reviewing a correlational study.

Topic: Evidence-based

REL-SE

In this video, Dr. Barbara Foorman, Director of the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast, explains what a logic model is and how it may be used in implementing evidence-based literacy practices.

Topic: Evidence-based

Examples of Evidence-based Literacy Practices

These educator resources can help you better understand the focus of early reading instruction in your child's school. Use the information to ask school staff about the content of reading instruction to see how well they match to evidence-based literacy practices.

Lead for Literacy Center

This infographic from the Lead for Literacy Center summarizes the Institute of Education Sciences' Practice Guide for Educators on Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.

Topic: Evidence-based, Beginning Reading

Lead for Literacy Center

This infographic from the Lead for Literacy Center summarizes the Institute of Education Sciences' Practice Guide for Educators on Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.

Topic: Evidence-based, Comprehension

Lead for Literacy Center

This infographic from the Lead for Literacy Center summarizes the Institute of Education Sciences' Practice Guide for Educators on Effective Literacy & English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades.

Topic: Evidence-based, English Learners

Understood.org

This checklist from Understood.org can be used to plan lessons using explicit instruction and reflect after teaching a lesson.

Topic: Evidence-based, Instruction

Examples of Non-Evidence Based Practices

Not all literacy programs and instructional strategies used in schools have been rigorously evaluated and align with the scientific research on literacy instruction. Use this resource to learn more about these practices.

Right to Read Project

This resource from the Right to Read Project gives questions to ask your child's school about reading instruction, gives examples of encouraging signs, and signs that there might be a problem.

Topic: Evidence-based

Supporting All Children’s Literacy Needs with Evidence-Based Literacy Practices

When children get evidence-based practices early, they are more likely to become successful readers and writers. Check out these resources to learn more about how children learn to read and see questions to ask school staff.

Mother and Child reading book

This toolkit helps parents and families understand the many different skills involved with teaching your child to learn to read and how to support your child's reading development at school and home.

Topic: 
Beginning Reading
Audience: 
Parents & Families
COKid

This resource from COKid provides questions families can ask school staff about reading instruction and to determine whether practices are based on research evidence.

Topic: Evidence-based, Instruction

Supporting Children with Dyslexia and Other Disabilities with Evidence-Based Literacy Practices

Extra support and focused, explicit, and systematic instruction is critical for children with dyslexia. See these resource for information on literacy practices.

Considerations When Planning Literacy Instruction for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Students with intellectual disabilities can obtain higher levels of reading achievement. However, deficits in working memory can make learning early reading skills more difficult. Consider these research-based tips as you plan literacy instruction for these students.

Audience: 
Schools & Districts
Topic: 
Instruction, Interventions
National Center on Intensive Interventions and Rhode Island Parent Information Network

This infographic provides an overview of intensive intervention.

Topic: Interventions

U.S. Department of Education

In this hour and half video presentation, two nationally recognized experts and a classroom teacher who presented at the 2022 OSEP Leader and Project Directors’ Conference explain what comprehensive literacy instruction looks like for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Topic: Evidence-based, Instruction, Reading Disabilities

U.S. Department of Education

This PowerPoint slide deck from two nationally recognized experts and a classroom teacher who presented at the 2022 OSEP Leader and Project Directors' Conference provides information on what comprehensive literacy instruction looks like for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Topic: Evidence-based, Instruction, Reading Disabilities

Perkins School for the Blind

A collaboration between Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), this website contains information on literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired.

Topic: Evidence-based, Instruction, Reading Disabilities


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