The importance of vocabulary knowledge is no more apparent than in its contribution to reading comprehension. Unfortunately, vocabulary is often simplified to learning 8-10 words per week. This pace is not sufficient for long-term success. To build truly broad vocabularies that lead to successful reading comprehension, instruction should focus on developing rich connections between words to construct conceptual knowledge.

The decline in reading achievement nationwide, as witnessed on the latest NAEP results, highlights the need for high-quality interventions to overcome the loss of learning. But, where to start? Using a true diagnostic reading assessment to pinpoint the specific skills readers require support in is the first step. The second step is crafting a learning plan that targets the specific skills students need. In this article, we illustrate how to take action in providing high-quality reading interventions that focus on building word recognition and decoding skills.

Schools and districts around the country are implementing sweeping mandates that focus on the Science of Reading, which is reduced to phonics programs, but is that enough to solve the reading crisis? And what is the Science of Reading? Is it simply phonics; is that where the science ends? In this article, we will dig into the Science of Reading and the foundational reading skills that, when taught together, lead to proficient reading.

Researchers found that the meaning of “reading and comprehension” has undergone significant changes over the past few decades; and therefore, how we help children learn across grade levels should also change.

A hallmark of long-term reading success is the automaticity of decoding and word recognition. Unfortunately, there are students who still struggle with these skills in upper elementary, middle, and even high school. Their reading comprehension is usually impeded, but their teachers do not know what is causing the problem. Therefore, it is imperative for teachers to know what comprises these skills and how to assess them.