How new laws are reshaping reading instruction in elementary schools

Improving the reading achievement of students in the United States has long been challenging. Acknowledging that some common early reading instruction methods may be contributing to low reading scores, many states are implementing changes. Legislation aimed at integrating the latest scientific understanding of how young children learn to read, known as the science of reading, has been enacted in over 40 states.

The American Instructional Resource Survey from spring 2024 provides the foundation for a new report that examines how these legislative changes impact elementary reading instruction. The report's authors analyze data to understand how the policies on curriculum, instructional requirements, preservice training, and professional learning requirements are influencing teachers' instructional practices in elementary schools. Additionally, it investigates how these practices differ based on teachers' experience and the grades they teach.