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Young boy reading book with hand on his forehead

Target the Problem!

Welcome to Target the Problem! — information to help parents and classroom teachers understand the specific problems a child may be having with reading. You’ll find practical suggestions on what you (and kids themselves) can do to help students overcome or deal with their reading difficulties.

elementary teacher talking with students during lesson

What About the Textbook Reviews?

Are third-party evaluations of commercial reading programs aligned with research? Shanahan identifies six problems with these reviews and suggests solutions to each.

elementary principal is school hallways with students rushing by

Does a 4-Day Week Mean Lower Reading Scores?

While research does not show that the 4-day week results in lower reading scores, that may indicate that we’re not careful enough in our use of instructional time — providing a substantial amount of the kinds of word, fluency, comprehension, and writing instruction that results in learning.

Captioning to Support Literacy

Captioning to Support Literacy

One motivating, engaging, and inexpensive way to help build the foundational reading skills of students is through the use of closed-captioned and subtitled television shows and movies. These supports can help boost foundational reading skills, such as phonics, word recognition, and fluency.

Young child wearing headphones will reading printed book

Audio-Assisted Reading

Audio-assisted reading is an activity where students listen to an audio version of a text while simultaneously following along with the written text in a book or on a screen. This strategy provides students with an auditory model of fluent and expressive reading.

illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Considerations when Selecting a Reading Program

Selecting a reading program can be an intimidating task. This article provides background information on scientifically based research conducted on various reading programs, the findings of the National Reading Panel, and some resources for learning more about reading programs.

illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children

This influential 1998 report was developed by The Committee for the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children,  established by the National Academy of Sciences to study the comparative effectiveness of interventions for young children who are at risk of having problems learning to read. The primary goal of the project was to translate the research findings about reading into advice and guidance for parents, educators, and others involved in the literacy development of young children. 

Elementary student in class thinking pensively about the lesson

When Language Is a Wall

Many texts contain language (figurative and literal) that can be a barrier to comprehension. We need to see those language walls and teach students how to scale them so their reading has meaning.

elementary teacher working with a small group of students in class

What Is Evidence-Based Instruction?

Evidence-based means using classroom practices based on clear and convincing proof from well-designed research and data analysis. Find out what to look for in identifying best practices.

Teaching Literacy in English to K-5 English Learners

Teaching Literacy in English to K-5 English Learners

Explore the five recommended practices for teaching literacy in English to English language learners: (1) Screen and monitor progress, (2) Provide reading interventions, (3) Teach vocabulary, (4) Develop academic English, and (5) Schedule peer learning.

Learning to Read and Write

Learning to Read and Write

Developmentally appropriate research-based literacy instruction in the primary grades includes attention to a variety of areas. Learn what reading instruction looks like in such areas as word identification, writing, and spelling in this overview.

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