National Center on Improving Literacy

Understanding literacy terms can make it easier to navigate reading instruction and support students more effectively. Our literacy glossary brings together key terms and definitions related to reading, writing, and language development, all in one place.

Explore the glossary:

Literacy Glossary – National Center on Improving Literacy Explore key literacy terms in our comprehensive Literacy Glossary. Get clear definitions of essential concepts like phonics, dyslexia, fluency, and more to support reading and writing success.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends incorporating literacy promotion into primary care. Here's how pediatricians can screen for emergent literacy skills during routine well-child visits:

Screening for Emergent Literacy During Well Visits - NCIL An overview of how pediatricians can screen for emergent literacy skills during routine well-child visits.

Learn why it's important to use screening tools that are free from statistical bias, ensuring all students can fairly demonstrate their abilities:

Understanding Screening: Statistical Bias - NCIL This brief emphasizes the importance of using screening tools that are free from statistical bias, ensuring all students can fairly demonstrate their abilities.

Hiring an instructional coach is an important step in strengthening teaching and learning. Getting started involves clearly defining the role, outlining key responsibilities, and planning how coaching will be implemented across a school or district. Clear direction and alignment with instructional goals can help guide the process and support educators over time.

Learn more:

I Want to Hire an Instructional Coach: Where Do I Start? - NCIL Learn what to look for in an instructional coach, with sample interview questions, a job description, and a downloadable application form.

Teaching reading fluency isn't just about speed. It's about helping students read with accuracy, expression, and understanding.

NCIL breaks it down into 4 clear steps any classroom teacher can use. Free resource, ready to go:

4 Steps to Teach Reading Fluency - NCIL 4 steps to teach literacy fluency with text.

Early intervention plays an important role in supporting children with dyslexia. Identifying students early and providing effective instruction can help build the skills needed for reading development. Research shows that earlier support leads to stronger outcomes than waiting until challenges become more significant.

Learn more about why early intervention matters: https://improvingliteracy.org/resource/why-early-intervention-matters-for-kids-with-dyslexia/

Why Early Intervention Matters for Kids with Dyslexia - NCIL An overview why early intervention is so important for kids with dyslexia.

How do you know if your core reading instruction is actually moving the needle for students at risk?

Our Benchmark Effectiveness & Actionable Core Outcomes Navigator (BEACON) is a free tool that helps educators and administrators evaluate whether instruction is improving student risk profiles over time. It's a practical, data-informed way to assess what's working at the school or district level.

Explore BEACON here: https://improvingliteracy.org/beacon-app/

Supporting your child’s reading at home can take many forms, including taking on the role of a literacy coach. This guide outlines eight steps families and caregivers can use to support learning, from setting a goal and modeling skills to practicing together, giving feedback, and revisiting key concepts over time.

Start using these steps at home: https://improvingliteracy.org/resource/8-steps-to-literacy-coaching-at-home/

8 Steps to Literacy Coaching at Home - NCIL Yes, you can coach your child’s literacy learning at home. Here are 8 steps parents can do to help boost a child's literacy skills at home.

Seeking to improve literacy outcomes? Our experts can help!

Through our Targeted Technical Assistance services, we offer free consulting and training, online and in-person, to help schools, districts, and community organizations implement evidence-based practices for students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia.

Whether you need help with screening, instruction, professional development, or implementing policy changes, our team of expert consultants is here to support your goals — at no cost to you.

Learn about our services here: https://improvingliteracy.org/targeted-assistance-for-literacy-support/