The False Divide: Why ‘Learn to Read, Read to Learn’ Fails Older Readers — and How to Fix It

Developed by Reading Reimagined, a program within the Advanced Education Research & Development Fund (AERDF), this study is the result of five years and $40 million of work aimed at accelerating and sustaining reading success for K-8 students. Conclusions from the research offer insights into the challenges older readers face and provide evidence-based practices to help them. The report also offers recommendations for policymakers, district leaders and educators to improve older readers’ literacy rates. States need to revise academic standards so they include advanced foundational literacy skills specifically for grades 3–8.