Science of Reading
Port Washington School District is committed to using evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. Research shows that effective reading instruction includes five essential components:
✅ Phonemic Awareness – Recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken words.
✅ Phonics – Connecting letters to sounds to decode words.
✅ Fluency – Reading smoothly with accuracy, speed, and expression.
✅ Vocabulary – Understanding and using a wide range of words.
✅ Comprehension – Gaining meaning from what is read.
The Science of Reading is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary body of research focused on how people learn and develop reading and writing skills. This evidence-based research spans over fifty years and includes thousands of studies conducted across the globe in multiple languages,and offers valuable insight into literacy development.
The findings from this extensive research provide clear insight into how skilled reading and writing develop, and how we can best assess, teach, and support all learners. The goal is to improve outcomes through high-quality instruction, prevention, and targeted intervention.
This research draws on expertise from multiple fields, including:
- Cognitive Psychology
Communication Sciences
Developmental Psychology
Education
Special Education
Implementation Science
Linguistics
Neuroscience
School Psychology
How the Brain Learns to Read
Research shows that reading is not a natural process—the brain must build new connections to link print, sounds, language, and meaning. These connections form through explicit instruction and repeated practice, not just exposure to reading. Direct teaching is essential for developing strong reading pathways. Learn more about how the brain learns to read- Professor Stanislas Dehaene
The Simple View of Reading
The Simple View of Reading shows that strong reading comprehension depends on two key skills: word recognition and language comprehension. If either one is weak, it affects a child’s ability to understand what they read. Both are equally important—one cannot make up for the other.
To better understand these skills, we also look at Scarborough’s Reading Rope, which breaks them down into smaller parts.
What is Scarborough’s Reading Rope?
Scarborough’s Reading Rope is a helpful way to understand how children become strong readers. It shows that learning to read is not just one skill—it’s made up of many smaller skills that work together, like strands of a rope.
The rope has two main parts:
🧵 1. Word Recognition (the bottom strands)
These are the skills that help children read the words on the page:
- Phonological Awareness – recognizing and working with sounds in spoken words (like rhyming or breaking words into sounds).
- Decoding – matching letters to sounds and sounding out words.
- Sight Recognition – quickly reading words that are seen often (like “the” or “said”).
🧵 2. Language Comprehension (the top strands)
These skills help children understand what they read:
- Vocabulary – knowing the meaning of words.
- Background Knowledge – understanding the world and how things work.
- Language Structure – understanding grammar and sentence structure.
- Verbal Reasoning – thinking about and making sense of stories and ideas.
- Literacy Knowledge – knowing how books work (like reading left to right, or understanding story parts).
🧠 How It All Comes Together
Just like strands twisted together make a strong rope, these skills combine to create skilled reading. The more each strand develops, the stronger your child’s reading becomes!
As part of our commitment to high-quality literacy instruction for all students, we align our practices with current state guidance and research-based approaches. Below are key New York State documents and resources that inform our literacy work:
📄 NYS Literacy Briefs
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has released a series of Literacy Briefs to support educators, leaders, and families in implementing evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. These briefs are designed to provide clear guidance on effective literacy practices from early childhood through adolescence.
📘 Next Generation English Language Arts (ELA) Learning Standards
New York State’s Next Generation ELA Standards provide a roadmap for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. These standards emphasize foundational skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and are closely aligned with current research on literacy development.
🔗 Explore the NYS ELA Standards
⚖️ Education Law §818: Literacy Instruction and Support
Education Law 818 was enacted in 2023 to ensure all schools across New York State are using high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. The law requires districts to:
- Implement research-based literacy programs.
- Provide professional development for educators.
- Regularly screen and monitor students' reading progress.
🔗Learn More About Education Law §818
🏠 How Families Can Support Reading at Home
Parents and caregivers play a key role in developing reading skills. Here’s how you can help:
✔ Read aloud daily – Even 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference!
✔ Encourage phonics practice – Play word games and ask your child to sound out words.
✔ Talk about books – Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”
✔ Make reading fun – Visit the library, listen to audiobooks, or let kids choose books they love.
📌 Recommended Websites:
🎙 Podcasts on the Science of Reading
🎧 Sold a Story (American Public Media)
A deep dive into how some reading programs failed children and what research really says about how kids learn to read.
🎧 Science of Reading: The Podcast Interviews with literacy experts, researchers, and educators on best practices for reading instruction.
🎧 Melissa & Lori Love Literacy
Two educators discuss literacy strategies, curriculum, and how to support struggling readers.
📺 YouTube Videos on the Science of Reading
📺 The Science of Reading Explained – The Right to Read Project
A quick and clear breakdown of what the Science of Reading is and why it matters.
📺 What is the Science of Reading? (Reading League)
A research-backed explanation of how children learn to read.
📺 Emily Hanford’s TEDx Talk: Hard Words – Why Kids Aren’t Learning to Read
Investigative journalist Emily Hanford discusses the problems with traditional reading instruction and the shift toward structured literacy.
📺 How the Brain Learns to Read – Reading Rockets
A visual, research-backed explanation of how children develop reading skills.
📺 Why Phonics is Important – UK Department of Education
A simple video for parents about the role of phonics in early literacy.