ABSTRACT

Strong reading skills are critical for academic success. Exposure to effective reading instruction is important for students of all ages and is particularly critical in the first three years of school in order to prevent gaps in student achievement and progress. This policy highlights the key components of reading that should be taught, as well as the instructional approaches that research shows are most effective. Also outlined are recommendations that research suggests are key to providing timely and equitable interventions on the basis of need. The purpose of this policy is to enable schools to provide high-quality evidence-based reading instruction and support to every student. The policy is designed to assist schools in developing and implementing a consistent whole-school approach that ensures all children receive optimal instruction using practices and programs that are supported by scientific evidence in lieu of those that have been found to be ineffective or for which there is insufficient supporting evidence. It also supports schools in using data to ensure that their resources are deployed on the basis of need to provide evidence-based and appropriately targeted interventions on an equitable and timely basis.