Maintaining grade-level proficiency in reading and math is essential to student achievement throughout their educational years and beyond, but unfortunately, 22% of American adults are innumerate (functionally illiterate in math), and 21% are illiterate.

We frequently hear about science of reading (SoR) in leadership discussions, and it is referenced all across social media in education groups. So, what exactly is the science of reading and why, suddenly, is it so important?

The jobs of elementary educators may seem like all fun and games, but kindergarten teachers don't just referee recess and hand out snacks.

According to the Young Readers Foundation, reading not only helps build focus and comprehension, it also helps children develop empathy, leadership, confidence, and social skills—and developing a few key early literacy skills can help children grow into confident and proficient readers.

With a nod to Benjamin Franklin, let me begin by saying that an ounce of good, quality instruction to prevent reading difficulties is worth a pound of reading remediation.

As we’ve seen in the past two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, millions of students lost the structure and socialization they were accustomed to.