Literacy
South Carolina is implementing the Science of Reading in all elementary classrooms across the state to address the critical need for effective reading instruction grounded in research-based methods. This approach emphasizes systematic and explicit instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension to improve literacy outcomes for all students.
- For parents, this means their children will receive instruction that is proven to help them read more proficiently, which can build confidence and enhance academic success.
- Teachers benefit from professional development aligned with these strategies, providing them with the tools and knowledge to better support the diverse learners in their classrooms.
- Businesses also stand to gain, as a literate workforce is essential for economic growth and competitiveness.
By adopting the Science of Reading, South Carolina is investing in a foundational skill that has far-reaching implications for individual achievement and collective advancement for the state.
Importance
Providing scientifically based reading instruction, such as the Science of Reading, in all elementary schools in South Carolina is a top priority for the SCDE as well as our districts. Learning is of urgent importance to ensure that every student, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, achieves reading proficiency. Research consistently shows that early, evidence-based literacy instruction is crucial for closing achievement gaps and setting a solid foundation for future academic success. By implementing the Science of Reading statewide, South Carolina can address disparities in educational resources and opportunities, giving every child a fair chance to develop essential reading skills.
How to Help
Parents, family members, teachers, mentors, and volunteers play a crucial role in developing proficient readers by supporting the principles of the Science of Reading.
- Parents and family members can reinforce phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension activities at home, creating a literacy-rich environment that complements classroom instruction.
- Teachers, with their specialized training, can implement structured reading programs and tailor instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Mentors and volunteers can provide additional reading practice and encouragement, helping to build students’ confidence and love for reading.
By collaborating and engaging in consistent, evidence-based literacy practices, stakeholders can help ensure all students have the tools and support they need to become proficient, successful readers.
Going Deeper
Click below for practical and meaningful strategies families and tutors can use to support literacy.
Resources for Literacy Tutors
Foundations of Literacy Webinar Series
Reading Rockets Literacy Support
Family Involvement Resources
REL Southeast Supporting Family Involvement Guides
To assist in helping families support literacy, Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast created a suite of grade specific guides that can be used with families to encourage and facilitate literacy support for children in the home. The information in each grade-specific guide is designed to assist in supporting literacy activities that are grounded in evidence-based practices (the WWC Educator’s Practice Guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade).
REL – Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home
The parent activities in these guides could be modified and used by volunteers.
- REL Southeast Guide: Supporting Family Involvement: Kindergarten
- REL Southeast Guide: Supporting Family Involvement: 1st Grade
- REL Southeast Guide: Supporting Family Involvement: 2nd Grade
- REL Southeast Guide: Supporting Family Involvement: : 3rd Grade
- REL Southeast Guide: Tips for Supporting Reading Skills at Home
This Snapshot Series from REL Southeast explores how emergent literacy instruction provides the building blocks that will, in later grades, provide children the foundation needed to become good readers.
Get practical help for implementing recommended literacy practices from the National Center for Improving Literacy
Learn about evidence-based literacy practices in preschool through grade three and how they can be used to support all children’s literacy needs in schools.
Understanding Evidence-Based Literacy Practices PreK-3: Family Edition
Family Friendly Standards – Education Oversight Committee
These documents provide parents with insights into the state standards and activities that they can do at home to support their children’s learning.
Practice Guides
What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides
Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade
- The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) develops practice guides in conjunction with an expert panel, combining the panel’s expertise with the findings of existing rigorous research to produce specific recommendations for addressing these challenges.
- The goal of this practice guide is to offer specific, evidence-based recommendations for teaching foundational reading skills to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade
- This video from Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (REL Midwest) discusses the most effective evidence-based practices for teaching decoding to early readers.
Strategies in this video are based on the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide, Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade
Parent & Family Science of Reading Resources
South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards Foundations of Literacy
Click on the above link to access a series of Parent & Family Science of Reading Resources aligned to our new foundations of literacy standards.
Reading and Literacy Tips and Recommendations
Reading Tips for Parents (in Multiple Languages)
One-page parent tips offer easy ways for parents to help kids become successful readers. One-page documents are divided by age, however, many of the tips can be used with children at various ages and stages — we encourage you to choose the ones that work best for your child.
The UFLI Parent Resource Hub is a collection of web-based language and literacy resources compiled and curated by UFLI faculty and graduate students. The resources are organized by birth to pre-K, primary grades (K-3), intermediate grades (4-6), and secondary grades (7-12).
Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home resources are family activities include easy-to-follow plans to help you support your child’s foundational reading skills at home. Materials needed for each family activity, such as letter cards, are included. They begin with simpler activities and progress to more difficult ones.
Talking is Teaching empowers parents and caregivers with fun and easy ways to improve their babies’ learning. Resource includes using books, parent videos, text messaging, social media, and information from expert partners.
Enjoying Books and Stories Together
Storyblocks is a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, working in partnership with Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Services. It is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood. Each video clip includes helpful early literacy tips to increase caregivers’ understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs. Videos available in multiple languages.
Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide. Each book includes a supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
Read Aloud with Dusty and Dott
Reading buddies, Dusty and Dott, share stories and activities through entertaining read aloud.
South Carolina Public Libraries
South Carolina Public Libraries have a wealth of free resources to share with parents and families. You can find books, storytimes, educational programs and activities, online resources and more. Find your local library here.
Navigating Reading Difficulties
Target the Problem with this tool. Information to help parents and classroom teachers understand the specific problems a child may be having with reading. You’ll find practical suggestions on what you (and kids themselves) can do to help students overcome or deal with their reading difficulties.
South Carolina’s Dyslexia Handbook
To better serve students with dyslexia, the SC Learning Disorders Task Force (LDTF) recommended the development of a statewide dyslexia handbook. In March 2020, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) assembled a committee of representatives from the educational, medical, and research fields to begin writing the handbook using a framework provided by the LDTF.
SCDE Science of Reading Resources
The Science of Reading Resources page is a place to find information on the science of reading to ground yourself in this research before diving into specific instructional practices and activities. This page offers different modes for exploring the science of reading through podcasts, videos, books, book studies, research articles and ways to connect with the science of reading community.
Helping Your Child: Guidance for Families
Reading problems are common, but they can have different causes and warning signs. Sometimes a problem is simple and quick to solve while others may require extensive intervention. Here are some common reading issues and ways to get help for your child.