Report Overview
Growing implementation of Science of Reading (SoR) programs in schools is creating change across the K-12 reading landscape.
Simba’s K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024, found that there is growing implementation of the Science of Reading (SoR) programs in K-12 schools. The report determined that the growing interest in SoR would likely create changes in the K-12 reading landscape and also impact future reading material purchasing. The report includes the results of an educator survey which confirms the growing trends in reading instruction and purchasing.
Read the blog on Reading Instruction Methods!
Simba Information’s K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024 details the trends impacting the US PreK-12 instructional materials market for reading and English language arts. It provides an overview of the market for print and digital materials, the growing interest and implementation of the science of reading, policy and budget trends affecting the market, market needs, key players in the market, a competitive analysis, and the results of Simba Information educator survey of over 30,000 US reading educators, in-depth interviews with publishers and vendors, nationwide research, analysis of company presentations and public documents, third-part data from multiple industry professionals, and ongoing research with publishing industry executives, consultants, industry analysts, state education officials, local school educators, and education policy experts.
Simba Information’s K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024, covers the following major categories outlining and impacting the market:
The K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024 contains detailed and granular data and analysis on key trends and developments with a special focus on:
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The Science of Reading
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Declines in Nationwide Reading Score s
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Literacy Gaps
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Changes in State Policies
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Grade Level Instructional Material Needs
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Trends Impacting Reading Instruction
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Vendors Utilizing SoR
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Purchasing Trends
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Educator Survey Results
Key companies and organizations profiled include:
Publishers and investment professionals can trust Simba Information's K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024 to provide the inside intelligence needed to evaluate the changes and needs effecting the products, sales, segment, and marketing of reading and English language arts instructional materials..
Simba’s K-12 Reading Market Report, 2024 is an essential tool for publishing executives, market analysts, and industry consultants who need to understand the current drivers impacting the reading and English language arts instructional materials market.
Simba has the knowledge base and perspective gained from more than 20 years’ covering this market and the rapid changes in technology, policy, educator interest and implementation, and public policy that affect it.
What is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading (SoR), also called “structured literacy,” places the emphasis on morphology, or the study of words and how they are formed. It involves the use of phonics and phonemic awareness, along with vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. These five foundational skills together allow readers to sound out, understand, and use unfamiliar words.
There is often a perception that the science of reading is based on phonics and phonics alone. But, while phonics is central, it is not the sole basis of science of reading-based instruction. All the components need to be included in order for gains to be made.
The science of reading is not about a set of practices. It is a cross-disciplinary body of research about how students learn to read. It is also more prescriptive, with teacher-led, sequenced instruction and lots of one-on-one time where a teacher, tutor, or coach can listen to reading aloud, make corrections, and ask questions. This is a departure from the inquiry-led approach that has been used by many districts in the recent past.
“There used to be an idea that you could teach literacy through inquiry, but no”, said Nicole Santora, Director of Literacy, Curriculum, and Assessment for Discovery. “You need explicit instruction. That includes modeling, normalizing and correcting mistakes, guided reading, etc.”
Science of reading-based instruction requires, first and foremost, training and professional development. It also calls for new instructional materials (core and supplemental), assessments, and interventions that are aligned with the science of reading. These integrate more basic phonics instruction and rich reading texts, as well as lessons to promote oral language skills, writing, and spelling, all tied to the five key foundational elements of the science of reading.
The emphasis on morphology, among other factors, makes SoR-based instruction effective for all students in grades K-3 (and beyond), but it has also proven effective in raising results among underserved populations including English learners, students of color, and students with dyslexia and other language-related disabilities, thereby helping reduce persistent learning gaps.
The transition to the science of reading mainly impacts students in grades K-5, and especially K-3, but the body of research can also be relevant to students in middle and high school, both in boosting comprehension and other use of language for students at large and in helping those students who cannot read well when they arrive in middle school.