By prioritizing whole‑group, grade‑level teaching supported by targeted small‑group practice and meaningful independent work, and by using evidence‑based materials that build foundational skills, districts can create more effective, equitable literacy classrooms where every student has a real chance to become a proficient reader.

This article highlights how Edmentum’s Exact Path brings this research to life with diagnostic-driven learning paths, clear phonics instruction, and motivating activities that help students build skills step by step. In short, it’s all about using evidence‑based practices—and engaging tools—to help young readers grow with confidence.

Most states now require reading instruction aligned to the Science of Reading, pushing schools to adopt explicit phonics, aligned curricula, strong teacher training, and early intervention. Edmentum’s Exact Path helps districts meet these mandates through diagnostics, screeners, progress monitoring, and lessons built around the five pillars of reading—giving educators practical tools to improve literacy outcomes and turn policy into real classroom success.

Scarborough’s Reading Rope is a model showing how strong reading develops when two skill sets—language comprehension and word recognition—grow together. It breaks down the key strands within each area, from vocabulary and background knowledge to phonological awareness and decoding, and highlights how weaknesses in any strand can hinder a student’s reading.