We’re pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report, which highlights our work to support literacy across the Commonwealth and beyond. This marks our first year as a center, and the report offers a look at the progress we’ve made together.

Inside, readers will find:

  • An introduction to the expert faculty and members of our national advisory board who are guiding our efforts.
  • An overview of our growing research clearinghouse, which provides accessible resources on foundational and adolescent literacy for educators, education and civic leaders, parents and caregivers, and educator preparation providers.
  • A preview of the upcoming Read to Achieve grant program evaluation, which will be released next month.

We’re grateful all those who support our work, including our partners at the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky General Assembly, and everyone across the Commonwealth who shares our commitment to improving literacy outcomes for students.

The full report is available here.

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evidence snapshots

Reading Resources

for Kentucky Leaders, Educators & Families

Learn about the most effective, practical and proven reading literacy programs based on the latest academic research, and the best ways to advocate for kids in your care.

For Leaders

Strong systems support intentional, integrated literacy instruction for early learners.

For Educators

The most effective instruction for preschoolers combines explicit teaching with guided play.

For Families

Simple, everyday interactions (i.e., talking, reading, and playing) build strong literacy skills.

For Researchers

Effective preparation equips educators to intentionally blend instruction and application.

Evidence at Your Fingertips

Explore our clearinghouse of scientifically-based reading research, where evidence-based insights inform effective literacy practices for Kentucky educators, education and civic leaders, parents and caregivers, and educator preparation providers.

A systematic review of research related to literacy instruction for preschool-aged children.

A systematic review of research related to literacy instruction for preschool-aged children.

A review of interventions designed to help adolescent learners develop reading fluency.

A systematic review of research on the effects of vocabulary instruction for adolescent readers.

Research on early literacy consistently shows that reading and writing reinforce one another.

Content-rich literacy instruction can meaningfully boost knowledge and vocabulary acquisition.

A review of literature related to text-based discussion in adolescent reading instruction.

A systematic review of instructional interventions that support motivation in grades 4-9.

A review of instructional interventions aimed improving foundational reading comprehension.

A review of studies addressing eading comprehension outcomes among adolescent learners.

Research supporting an emphasis on vocabulary and academic language development.

A comprehensive review of intervention research focused on disciplinary literacy for adolescents.

A systemic review of oral reading fluency research from 2014 to 2025.

A review to help children in K-3 develop foundational reading skills related to phonics.

A systematic review of studies published between 2008 and 2024.

A review of effective phonological and phonemic awareness instruction for K-3 students.