As a school board member, the responsibility of ensuring that your district’s curriculum aligns with the latest research on effective reading instruction is paramount. The science of reading has revolutionized our understanding of how children learn to read, and it is essential that our curricula reflect these evidence-based practices to support students’ literacy development.

Understanding the Science of Reading

The science of reading refers to a body of research that has accumulated over decades, revealing how children acquire reading skills. This research emphasizes the importance of explicit, systematic instruction in foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. These components are critical for helping students become proficient readers, and they form the cornerstone of an effective reading curriculum.

However, despite the overwhelming evidence supporting these methods, many districts still rely on outdated or ineffective instructional practices. This can lead to reading difficulties for students, particularly those who are already at risk of falling behind. As a school board member, it’s crucial to evaluate whether your district’s reading curriculum is truly aligned with the science of reading.

Evaluating Your Curriculum’s Alignment

Our Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines are specifically designed to help school board members assess the extent to which their district’s curriculum supports effective reading instruction. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the key components of a reading curriculum, ensuring that it is grounded in the science of reading.

Here’s how you can use the guidelines to make informed decisions:

• Evaluate Foundational Reading Principles: The guidelines will help you determine whether your district’s reading curriculum includes explicit instruction in foundational reading skills. This includes assessing whether phonemic awareness and phonics are taught systematically and whether the curriculum provides ample opportunities for students to develop fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Identify Misaligned Practices: Even well-intentioned curricula can sometimes include practices that are not supported by the latest research. The guidelines will help you identify any instructional methods that may not align with evidence-based strategies, such as those that overemphasize memorization of whole words or rely on ineffective comprehension strategies.
• Ensure Proficient Reading Development: By aligning your curriculum with the science of reading, you can be confident that your students are receiving the instruction they need to develop proficient reading skills. The guidelines provide practical recommendations for enhancing your curriculum, including resources and strategies for implementing evidence-based practices in the classroom.

Taking Action for Student Success

Ensuring that your district’s curriculum aligns with the science of reading is not just about compliance with educational standards; it’s about giving every student the opportunity to succeed. Reading is the foundation of all learning, and students who struggle with reading are at a disadvantage in every other subject. By prioritizing the science of reading, you can help close the achievement gap and set your students on a path to academic success.

Empower yourself to make informed decisions about your district’s reading curriculum by downloading our Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines today. With these guidelines, you’ll have the tools you need to assess and improve your curriculum, ensuring that it provides the best possible education for your students.

[Download the Evaluation Guidelines]