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Plain-English writing on the science of teaching reading.

Articles for the people doing the actual work — teachers running small groups, parents helping a struggling reader at home, curriculum directors picking the next adoption. Anchored to peer-reviewed research and our published ESSA Tier 4 evidence rationale.

May 13, 2026

Early literacy intervention: what works for K-2 struggling readers

A research-grounded guide to early literacy intervention for K-2 students: when to start, which screeners to use, what Tier 2 and Tier 3 programs the field trusts, and when to escalate.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 9 min

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May 13, 2026

Dyslexia at home: how parents can support a struggling reader

A practical guide for parents of dyslexic children. What dyslexia actually is, what the school should be doing, and the small consistent things you can do at home that align with the research.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 10 min

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May 13, 2026

How to teach a 3 year old to read: what the research actually says

Most 3-year-olds aren't ready to decode print, but they are ready for the pre-reading work that makes everything else possible. Here's what the research supports and what to skip.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 8 min

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May 13, 2026

MTSS vs RTI implementation: differences districts actually navigate

MTSS and RTI share most of their structure, but the implementation differences are real. A practical guide for leaders deciding which label, which scope, and which team owns the work.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 8 min

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May 13, 2026

MTSS implementation for literacy: a district playbook

A district playbook for MTSS literacy implementation — universal screening, tier structure, decision rules, team composition, and the pitfalls that quietly derail good frameworks.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 12 min

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May 13, 2026

ORF passage selection by grade: a practical teacher's guide

Choosing the right ORF passage is half the assessment. A practical guide to grade-level decisions, Hasbrouck-Tindal benchmarks, and the scoring habits that keep WCPM data trustworthy.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 7 min

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May 13, 2026

Phonics in 4th grade: when older readers still need decoding instruction

Many 4th graders still need explicit phonics instruction — because of gaps, late English exposure, or undiagnosed dyslexia. Here's how to identify it and what works.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 8 min

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May 13, 2026

Running records vs ORF: why districts are switching

A practical look at what running records and ORF actually measure, why state literacy laws have moved toward ORF, and what teachers gain and lose in the switch.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 7 min

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May 13, 2026

Science of reading at home: what parents can actually do

A practical guide for parents who want to support their child's reading at home using Science-of-Reading-aligned approaches. What to do, what to skip, and how to tell what's working.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 9 min

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May 13, 2026

Switching from UFLI to Fundations mid-year: a migration checklist

A practical checklist for schools forced to switch from UFLI Foundations to Wilson Fundations partway through the year — what carries over, what doesn't, and how to land smoothly.

By Brian Carlson, Scott Quinlan, Kate Dwyer 9 min

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