As we step into a new year at the Kentucky Reading Research Center, I’m energized by both the momentum we’ve built and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Since our launch, we’ve recruited a team of experts and partners, connected with hundreds of educators and stakeholders, and played a role in strengthening literacy instruction across Kentucky. We know that meaningful change in literacy doesn’t happen quickly. It happens through quality, evidence-based instructional practices and a strong system of supports.
The priorities we’ve set for the coming year reflect what we’ve learned so far and where the evidence points us next. Each priority is designed to strengthen literacy instruction across Kentucky while keeping research, practice, and students’ needs closely connected.
1. Expanding the Research Clearinghouse
This year, you will see our Clearinghouse grow into a more robust and interactive resource. We’ll be adding video demonstrations and other tools that can be used in and out of the classroom. In addition, our team of researchers will be addressing emergent, family, and adult literacy in our literature reviews. Our goal is to make it easy for anyone in Kentucky to access clear, trustworthy information about what truly supports reading development.
2. Advancing New Research
Our upcoming studies will go beyond identifying what works to exploring why and how. We’ll be tackling questions including:
- How can explicit instruction be delivered most effectively?
- What role does student engagement play in literacy success?
- How do classroom behavior and reading instruction influence one another?
- What supports do teachers need to implement high-quality practices with confidence?
By digging deeper, we’ll generate findings that educators can apply in their classrooms—and that policymakers can rely on as they shape Kentucky’s literacy future.
3. Strengthening Evaluation Tools to Support Read to Achieve
This year, we’ll continue evaluating the Kentucky Department of Education Read to Achieve program, but with new data collection tools designed to provide richer insights. These enhancements will help schools better identify what’s working and where additional support is needed, enabling the state to refine and strengthen literacy intervention efforts.
We’re proud of the contributions we’ve made so far, but we’re even more energized for the work ahead. Literacy improvement isn’t a quick fix. It’s a commitment—a long-term effort to ensure every learner in our state has the tools they need to succeed.
Our partnership with KDE remains central to this effort. While our research is fully independent, the collaboration helps ensure that our work addresses the most pressing literacy needs in Kentucky. This year, that partnership will continue to evolve as we tackle new questions and explore emerging challenges together.
Here’s to the year ahead—to deeper learning, strong partnerships, and positive outcomes for every reader in the Commonwealth.
