Education Now Lessons From the Science of Reading What the latest scientific research tells us about how children successfully learn to read and comprehend. Posted March 7, 2025 By News editor Early Education Language and Literacy Development Learning Design and Instruction Student Achievement and Outcomes Experts from the Harvard Graduate School of Education join this edition of Education Now about literacy development for children and teens. They explore what the latest scientific research tells us about how children successfully learn to read and comprehend and share resources for developing deeper background knowledge and fluency.Host: Pamela Mason, Senior Lecturer on Education, Faculty Co-Chair, Literacy and Languages Concentration, Harvard Graduate School of EducationGuests:Phil Capin, Assistant Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of EducationJames Kim, Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education Key Takeaways • Progress has been made in the science of reading simple texts, now progress is needed in developing students’ ability to read and understand difficult science, math, and English language art texts which requires building up students’ vocabulary and background knowledge.• For students to get better at reading and understanding texts, it is critical that teachers take a step back and allow children the opportunity to engage in challenging texts and to make meaning of those texts together with other children — this can be achieved in small discussion groups.• Students need to learn words deeply, including pronunciations and spellings, and how to transfer their knowledge and understanding to different contexts. Students also need to be given an active purpose for reading — a mission or problem to solve can be a good strategy, for example. Resources: Separating Fact from Fiction About the Science of Reading - Usable Knowledge Building Background Knowledge in Science Improves Reading Comprehension - Usable Knowledge What Exactly Is the Science of Reading? - Usable Knowledge New Brief on Evidence-based Strategies to Improve K-4 Reading - Annenberg Institute Teaching for Transfer Can Help Young Children Read for Understanding - Kappan Time to Transfer: Long-Term Effects of a Sustained and Spiraled Content Literacy Intervention in the Elementary Grades MORE Reach Every Reader How Far Have We Come in Supporting Children’s Reading Comprehension? Reading Comprehension Instruction: Evaluating Our Progress Since Durkin’s Seminal Study Practice Guides - Institute of Education Sciences A Right Way to Read? - Harvard Magazine The Case for Early Dyslexia Screening - The Harvard EdCast Turns Out Pandemic Wasn’t Only Cause for Student Setbacks - The Harvard Gazette Short-Term Education Recovery Effort Shifts to Long-Term Reform Education Now A webinar and newsletter series to shape new approaches to challenges in education Explore All Articles Related Articles Ed. Magazine Phase Two: The Reach Reach Every Reader on its impact and the project’s next phase Ed. Magazine Virtual Running Records During the Pandemic Alum was determined not to let students lose ground in reading because of COVID. Usable Knowledge Using E-Books to Get Young Readers Talking New research shows how parents can help kids — and themselves — use e-books as a tool to improve early childhood development