The Science of Reading Instruction

Contents:

Introduction to the Science of Reading; Research foundations overview and gaps

1. Topics:

2. Defining the science of reading

3. Historical gaps in teacher preparation

4. Syllabus overview

Contents:

Research foundations; Conceptual models guiding instruction and assessment

1. Topics:

2. Simple View of Reading

3. Scarborough’s Reading Rope

4. Strengths and limitations of models

5. Brain research and reading development

Contents:

Language structures underlying reading development

1. Topics:

2. Phonology and phonemic awareness

3. Orthography and phonics

4. Morphology, syntax, and semantics

Contents:

1. Develop deep word knowledge (semantics)

2. Understand how sentences work (syntax & grammar)

3. Build sentence-level comprehension to support text understanding

4. Strengthen oral language as a foundation for reading

Contents:

Typical and atypical reading development

1. Topics:

2. Reading development trajectories

3. Dyslexia and reading difficulty

4. Early identification and prevention

Contents:

Designing instruction aligned with reading science

1. Topics:

2. Structured literacy principles

3. Explicit, systematic, cumulative instruction

4. Tiered instruction and coherence

Contents:

Using assessment to guide instruction and programs

1. Topics:

2. Screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring

3. Ethical assessment use

4. Data-informed decision-making

Contents:

Inclusive and equitable literacy instruction

1. Topics:

2. Language difference vs. disability

3. Reading science and equity

4. Multilingual learners and structured literacy

Contents:

Systems-level literacy leadership

1.  Topics:

2. Aligning coursework and clinical practice

3. Professional learning design

4. Implementation science