Learning to read proficiently is an essential skill needed in both academics and life. Without this skill, one's opportunities are limited socioeconomically, socially, and throughout all daily life. However, there is growing concern that the methodology currently used in many school systems is not preparing children for the rigors of reading in…

This article offers an update on key developments in research related visual literacy, children's reading and children's literature. Beginning with an overview of the field, we chart several distinctive 'turns' or research trajectories: the aesthetic, the intercultural or empathic, and the ethical. We then consider how questions of power,…

This study sought to understand general and special education elementary teachers' self-reported knowledge of the science of reading (SOR). As part of a larger study on reading instructional practices, this article focuses on teachers' responses to the SOR-only questions (N = 300). Results suggested that teachers had either self-reported lower- or…

The interconnection between reading and writing is a topic of great significance. Reading and writing, both fundamental components of literacy, go hand in hand as communicative acts involving written texts. Both activities involve meaning-making and print-related processes. Meaning-making encompasses accessing, activating, and retrieving…

This dissertation seeks to answer the question: what were the social and cultural effects of Rudolf Flesch's thoughts and writings on late 20th-century American literacy education? The purpose is to provide an understanding and articulation of the cultural and educational ramifications of Rudolph Flesch's books "Why Johnny Can't Read and What…

The science of reading consists of a large, evolving, and impressive body of evidence about how humans learn to read and how reading should be taught. This body of evidence has accumulated via diverse epistemological perspectives and methods, yet points to undeniable consensus on many issues (e.g., the importance of explicit phonics instruction,…

A number of studies have examined the effects of reading interventions for younger readers; however, there does not appear to be any existing syntheses examining the effect of reading interventions on students in Years 7--12. The purpose of this study was to establish whether such a synthesis is feasible by reviewing the methodological quality of…

A recent article in this journal claims that the simple view of reading represents a long-outdated account of what underlies the ability to read. Its authors argue that if teachers are to be better informed about what is known about reading then the simple view must be replaced by a more current model, one that captures the substantial progress…

Textbooks have been the primary teaching tool since the 19th century. By their nature, they contained a comprehensive compilation of the content of a particular subject with the intention of explaining it; this knowledge, in turn, was usually filtered to conform to a particular society's expectations of elementary knowledge about the natural and…

Children and young people's volitional book reading has declined consistently over the last two decades, and research efforts to reverse this trajectory would benefit considerably from the input and insights of children and young people. Meanwhile, the expanding and intensifying role of technology in many children and young people's daily lives…

Reading is perhaps the essential practice of modern civilization. For centuries, it has been seen as key to both personal fulfillment and social progress, and millions today depend on it to participate fully in our society. Yet, at its heart, reading is a surprisingly elusive practice. This book tells for the first time the story of how American…

Effective implementation of the science of reading requires robust professional development. This Spotlight explores how districts, teacher-prep programs, and states are working to equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed. From training the trainers to sharing leadership insights on implementing the science of reading, these articles…

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of human learning describes learning as a social process and the origination of human intelligence in society or culture in which the social and cultural context of development cannot be separated. The sociocultural theory of mind attempts to explain the processes through which learning and development occur. A…

What is the science of reading? The Reading League, in their document "Science of Reading: Defining Guide" (TRL, 2022), proposes that "The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based* research about reading and issues related to reading and writing." (p. 11.) The asterisk is carrying a lot of…

This article positions braille as a writing system worthy of study in its own right and on its own terms. We begin with a discussion of the role of braille in the lives of those who read and write it and a call for more attention to braille in the reading sciences. We then give an overview of the history and development of braille, focusing on its…