What is the science of reading?
Learn the science of reading, transform reading instruction, and improve student outcomes.
The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. The Science of Reading: Defining Guide is available as a free resource for download or as a hard copy for purchase.
State Chapter Network
The Reading League has 40 state chapters that share our mission and vision. Our chapters consist of educators, parents, and other stakeholders committed to advancing evidence-aligned reading instruction within their states.
The Reading League Blog
The Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines (3rd Edition)
By Kari Kurto, Director of Policy and Partnerships Identifying a Need Five and a half years ago, while I was working at the Rhode Island Department of Education, I was invited to participate in a project led by one of my literacy mentors, Dr. Maria Murray. At the time, many states were approving Tier I curricula that met review criteria, including standards alignment, usability, and evidence of effectiveness in controlled trials. Selecting a curriculum is a significant decision, and the more information decision-makers have, the stronger and more contextually aligned their choices will be. Despite such comprehensive reviews, many curricula publishers continued to include instructional practices for language comprehension, reading comprehension, writing, and foundational skills that were not aligned
Watertown City School District: Transforming Literacy Instruction With The Reading League
Case Study Watertown City School District About the District Located in Northern New York, Watertown City School District supports a diverse community of learners across eight schools—each working to strengthen literacy outcomes. Location Watertown, NY Pre-K-12 Students 5 Elementary Schools 1 Intermediate School 1 Middle School 1 High School Student Population 3,957 Economic Markers Economically Disadvantaged: 69% The Challenge Watertown City School District, located in Upstate New York, faced a familiar yet critical challenge: improving literacy outcomes while navigating a crowded field of programs and instructional approaches. Despite a strong commitment to student success,
5 Things You Should Know About The Reading League Summit
If you’ve ever left a conference wishing for more time to connect research, data, and classroom practice, The Reading League Summit is for you. This unique event brings together educators, researchers, and leaders for a shared journey toward one goal: using literacy data to make a real difference for students. Here are five things you should know before you join us in May 2026. 1. Everyone learns together. At the Summit, there are no competing sessions or scattered schedules. Every participant—whether you’re a teacher, researcher, principal, district leader, school psychologist, university faculty, coach, or consultant—spends two days in the same room, engaging in one shared experience. The result? A genuine sense of collaboration and a shared understanding that connects
Summer Book Study Recap 2025: MTSS for Reading Improvement
By Andrea Setmeyer, National Chapter Director This summer, The Reading League Chapter Network hosted our annual book study with a new release: MTSS for Reading Improvement by Sarah Brown and Stephanie Stollar. Chapter leaders from across the country selected this title because of its practical, empowering guidance for school leaders working to implement the science of reading in complex school systems. Implementation is at the heart of so many conversations right now, and we believed this book would serve as a valuable, actionable resource for school teams. What we didn’t expect? Over 5,200 educators and leaders from every U.S. state, D.C., and even Canada joined us for this summer of learning! The response was incredible—educators from all roles
