Learning to Read with Decodables

New York State Government 

1. Literacy Initiative, New York State Education Department  New York State's literacy home page
   1. New York State's Prekindergarten-3rd Grade Literacy Instructional Best Practices (January 2025) These are the best practices for educators to use in ensuring literacy instruction and interventions align with science of reading principles.  
   2. New York State's K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide (June 2024) 
2. New York State: The Path Forward Initiative  New York State's home page for Teacher and Leader Development, focusing on literacy instruction
   1. New York State Action Plan: The Path Forward (October 2024)  This is New York State’s plan to integrate the science of reading into teacher preparation programs. 

New York Organizations focusing on the Science of Reading 

1. The Reading League  Headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y., this large nonprofit with more than 40 chapters across the country advocates for evidence-aligned instruction. Their annual conference for educators and change-makers from around the world is considered a premier Science of Reading event. 
   1. Reading League: What is the Science of Reading?  This is the Reading League's defining guide as a free ebook. 
   2. Reading League: Reading Tips for Parents and Caregivers from the Reading League  If you’re looking for an overarching look at the Science of Reading, this is it.
   3. Teaching, Reading and Learning: The Reading League’s Podcast (2020-present) (22+ episodes)  The Reading League, headquartered in Syracuse, NY, works for evidence-aligned instruction. The podcast aims to inspire teachers, inform teaching and celebrate people in the community who have influenced literacy for the betterment of children.  
   4. Reading League: Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines 
   5. Reading League: Reading Buddies (60 episodes) A locally-made television series for kids based on the Science of Reading. Watch free on YouTube. 
2. WNY Education Alliance  WNY Education Alliance is a non-profit organization committed to improving educational outcomes for students in Western New York through research and advocacy, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.
3. The Literacy Academy Collective  Literary Academy Collective works to break the cycle of illiteracy for struggling readers, students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities in NYC schools.  

  Decodable Books for Beginning Readers

1. Decodable Books and Learning to Read  A pamphlet for parents by Teach My Kid to Read, a local literacy organization with a national reach. They work to connect libraries with reading expertise and Decodable books.  
2. What are Decodable Books?  A pamphlet for parents by Teach My Kid to Read that explains the difference between Easy Readers and Decodable Readers.

Science of Reading Overview

1. What We Know About Reading and the Brain from Reading Rockets Video - Don't miss navigating to the bottom of this page to find a collection of videos from various reading experts.
2. What is the Simple View of Reading? - by Reading Universe
3. Science of Reading from Zanar-Blosar Videos - The Reading Brain, The Simple View of Reading, Scarborough's Reading Rope
4. Models of Reading from Reading Rockets Includes Simple View of Reading, Scarborough's Reading Rope, Componential Model, Active View of Reading, Dual-Route Theory and Construction-Integration Model (ICM)
5. Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong Podcast (2022-present) (13 episodes) - American Public Media reporter Emily Hanford is credited for bringing the science of reading to a mainstream audience. It explains the reading methods that have been entrenched in schools for more than a generation, even though they were proven wrong by cognitive scientists a decade ago. 
6. Planet Word Videos (2024-present) - This museum of language in Washington, D.C., hosts reporter Emily Hanford (Sold a Story) in discussions with some of the world’s leading reading experts. All discussions are filmed and available on the museum’s website. 
7. Right to Read Documentary (2023) (1 hour) - Stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families fighting to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.  Watch free on YouTube or on Kanopy. 
8. Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Podcast (2019-present) (200+ episodes) - Two teachers are on a mission to help others navigate the new science-backed strategies for teaching reading and writing. Episodes feature interviews with literacy experts offering practical, classroom-friendly advice. 

Dyslexia and Reading Differences

1. New York State's Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force: Report and Recommendations (December 2024) 
2. Fahy, Claire. "Private Insurers Must Now Cover Dyslexia Testing in New York" New York Times. Dec. 11, 2024.- Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law on January 1. 2025, a first-in-the-nation bill requiring insurance companies to cover costs associated with dyslexia diagnoses.