Modern educators see reading as the connective tissue of learning, not as something to focus on only in English class. Districts nationwide have elevated reading instruction across science, social studies and math as teachers confront knowledge-heavy standards, complex texts and data-driven assessments.
The rationale for this approach is straightforward. Students who can synthesize information through reading are better prepared to solve problems and transfer knowledge between disciplines. That’s a core goal of literacy in education.
Reading proficiency underpins success in every subject. Educators have long recognized the benefits of literature appreciation and reading. Now, they can embed strategies such as vocabulary development, text annotation and evidence-based discussion into lessons in subjects across the curriculum.
Why Reading Fundamentals Are Important in All Subjects
Strong reading skills can unlock learning in science, social studies and math. Research has shown that students need more than phonics to comprehend complex texts. They require a wide vocabulary, robust oral language and background knowledge to make sense of content in all subject areas.
Recent research highlighting “knowledge-building” curricula found that students using Core Knowledge Language Arts posted stronger end-of-year reading results, according to EdWeek. However, mandates alone rarely lead to improvement in this area. Concrete support for teacher professional development in this area, along with targeted interventions, were two factors that improved programs aimed at increasing literacy in education.
For educators, the takeaway is practical: embed vocabulary work, text structures and evidence-based discussion in content lessons and support it with sustained professional learning and resources. This approach can result in higher levels of success in teaching reading comprehension.
How to Improve Literacy Skills of Students
Effective literacy growth blends robust instruction with targeted support. In early grades, teachers focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension explicitly. The federal Department of Education offers four recommendations for improving reading skills in kindergarten through third grade:
- Teach students academic language skills, including the use of inferential and narrative language as well as vocabulary knowledge.
- Develop awareness of the segments of sounds in speech and how they link to letters.
- Teach students to decode words, analyze word parts and write and recognize words.
- Ensure that each student reads connected text every day to support reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension.
From upper-elementary through high school, teachers can pair close reading with explicit vocabulary work and discussion routines. They can also focus on how scientists, historians and mathematicians read and write in their fields, as well as how they integrate writing to learn.
States can also accelerate what schools do in this area. New York’s “Back to Basics” reading plan couples evidence-based instruction with funding to train 20,000 teachers in science-of-reading best practices. That’s an example of pairing mandates with support.
Fresno Pacific University’s Content Comprehension Course for Teachers
The Fresno Pacific University Content Comprehension: Helping Students Read & Understand course helps teachers engage with struggling readers to improve their reading skills.
Key features of the course include:
- Understanding the needs of struggling readers and what impedes comprehension, including gaps in background knowledge, vocabulary and reading strategies.
- Practical classroom strategies for before, during and after reading, such as explicit instruction of text structure, scaffolding complex texts, guided annotations and supporting student discussions for meaning-making.
- Applying these strategies across content areas, such as science, social studies and math, allows teachers to embed comprehension practices seamlessly into everyday lessons.
By the end of the course, teachers can design instruction that helps students read more confidently, engage more deeply with content texts and improve comprehension outcomes across the curriculum.