Strong literacy skills are the foundation for success across all areas of learning. Reading development happens in stages, from early phonemic awareness and decoding to fluent reading and comprehension of complex texts. Effective literacy instruction is structured, systematic, and responsive to each student's needs, whether they're just beginning to read, building fluency, or developing advanced comprehension skills. Schools use various assessments and data to understand where students are in their reading development and what instruction or interventions will help them progress.

Families play a critical role in literacy development. When families understand how reading is taught, what their child is working on, and what progress looks like, they can provide meaningful support at home through reading together, asking questions about texts, and reinforcing skills in everyday activities. Families also offer important perspectives on their child's interests, reading habits, and confidence as a reader: insights that help educators tailor instruction to be more engaging and effective.