Our Position on the Science of Reading

Aligning Educational Consulting with the Science of Reading and Evidence-Based Practices

​

As an educational consulting business dedicated to supporting educational leaders and school systems, we are committed to providing evidence-based, research-driven guidance that empowers schools to effectively teach reading. Our consulting approach is firmly rooted in the Science of Reading (SoR), a body of research encompassing cognitive science, linguistics, and educational psychology that illuminates how students learn to read and what instructional practices are most effective. This position statement outlines the principles guiding our consulting services and how they align with the Science of Reading and broader evidence-based teaching practices.

​

Understanding the Science of Reading

The Science of Reading refers to a comprehensive body of research spanning decades, which has established that reading is not an inherent skill but a complex process requiring explicit, systematic instruction. This body of knowledge integrates insights from linguistics, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and educational research, demonstrating that the ability to read depends on specific, identifiable skills—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—that must be taught directly and systematically.

At the core of the Science of Reading is the recognition that reading involves the integration of various cognitive processes, such as decoding (converting printed text into speech sounds) and linguistic comprehension (understanding the meaning of words and sentences). Research indicates that explicit instruction in these foundational skills is crucial for developing proficient readers. In contrast, approaches that emphasize "whole language", the balanced literacy philosophy, rote memorization of words, or the three-cueing method, without a focus on these skills often lead to reading difficulties, particularly for students at risk of dyslexia or those who are struggling readers.

​

Our Approach: Integrating the Science of Reading into Practice

Our consulting services are designed to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice. We work closely with educational leaders to ensure that teachers and staff are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to implement evidence-based reading instruction in alignment with the Science of Reading. Our approach can be broken down into the following key strategies:

​

1. Systematic and Explicit Instruction in Phonemic Awareness and Phonics: A cornerstone of the Science of Reading is the explicit teaching of phonemic awareness and phonics, the foundational skills necessary for decoding words. We support schools in adopting curricula and instructional strategies that prioritize these essential skills from the earliest stages of reading instruction. Our consulting services provide professional development on how to teach these concepts effectively, ensuring that educators understand the importance of clear, direct instructional practices for letter-sound relationships, word recognition, and spelling patterns.

2. Data-Driven Instruction and Ongoing Progress Monitoring: Evidence-based teaching practices emphasize the importance of regular progress monitoring to assess student growth and inform instruction. In our consulting approach, we guide educational leaders and teachers on how to utilize assessment data to identify reading difficulties early, tailor instruction to meet individual student needs, and track student progress over time. We advocate for using formative assessments, such as phoneme segmentation, fluency assessments, and comprehension checks, to guide decisions about intervention and instruction.

3. Differentiated Instruction and Intervention: The Science of Reading underscores that students’ reading needs are diverse, and effective teaching practices must be responsive to these needs. Our consulting services focus on equipping schools with strategies for differentiating instruction to support all learners, including students with dyslexia or other reading challenges. This includes implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), offering targeted interventions for students at risk of reading difficulties, and providing instructional scaffolding that adjusts to the needs of individual learners. We emphasize the importance of early intervention and intensive support for struggling readers, ensuring that no student is left behind.

4. Building Knowledge of Vocabulary and Language Comprehension: Reading comprehension is not solely about decoding words; it also requires a robust understanding of vocabulary and the ability to comprehend text. Our consulting services help educators understand the critical role that language development plays in reading comprehension. We focus on strategies for teaching vocabulary explicitly, promoting rich oral language experiences, fostering background knowledge that supports comprehension, and understanding how to teach students to metacognitively reflect on their own comprehension of text. This includes using instructional practices that encourage deep engagement with complex texts and strategies that support students’ ability to synthesize and analyze information.

5. Leadership Effectiveness and Teacher Empowerment: One of the primary goals of our consulting services is to support school system leaders to be as effective as possible at improving their entire ecosystem for the Science of Reading while empowering educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to implement evidence-based practices. We offer tailored leadership coaching, teacher coaching, and professional learning that engage teachers in the science behind reading instruction and provide them with practical strategies they can apply in their classrooms. Our workshops are designed to be interactive, providing teachers with the opportunity to practice new skills and deepen their understanding of the Science of Reading. By building teacher expertise in scientifically validated reading practices, we help foster a school culture that values continuous learning and growth.

6. Creating a Collaborative School Culture: The most successful reading programs are those that are embraced by the entire school community. Our consulting services promote a collaborative approach to literacy instruction, where educators, administrators, and parents work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to become a proficient reader. We assist schools in establishing data-driven decision-making practices, ensuring that teachers, coaches, and administrators are all aligned in their goals for student achievement. This holistic, community-driven approach helps create an environment where literacy development is prioritized at every level of the school system.

​

A Commitment to Evidence-Based Practices

Our educational consulting approach is grounded in the Science of Reading and evidence-based practices, and we engage with school systems using an inquiry-based, humble consulting model. We are committed to helping schools adopt research-backed methods that lead to improved literacy outcomes, and we seek to do so by understanding the unique context of each school system and tailoring our support to its specific needs to create an effective journey from current business as usual to a highly effective and successful ecosystem of learning. By focusing on the essential components of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—we provide educational leaders with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to foster reading success for all students. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all, but rather a tailored, individualized model that meets the unique needs of each school, educator, and student. With a focus on systematic, explicit instruction and a commitment to data-driven decision-making, we help create learning environments where every child has the opportunity to become a proficient, lifelong reader.