Helping Students Read Better and Learn More
The Iowa Reading Research Center strives to improve the literacy skills of all students through research with students, professional learning for educators, and technical assistance for school districts.
Spark Early Literacy Hub
Through everyday activities, caregivers play an important role in helping children build early reading skills.
Morpheme Lab
Learning morphemes can help students break down the meaning of unfamiliar words. Access free resources to support implementing explicit morphology instruction in our Morpheme Lab!
Iowa Science of Reading Summit
Join us in Cedar Rapids this June to expand your knowledge of the science of reading and connect with a community of literacy advocates.
Blog
Supporting Early Literacy Through Everyday Interactions With Dr. Ece Demir-Lira
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Dr. Ece Demir-Lira, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa, shares how caregivers can support their children's early literacy development.
Morphological Transparency: Why Some Word Parts Are Easier to “See” Than Others
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Transparency and opacity describe the relationship between a word and the word parts that make it up—that is, how easy it is to identify the word parts within the larger word.
How to Implement Cognate Instruction
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Teaching with cognates can help multilingual learners draw on prior knowledge to understand new vocabulary.
News
New Spark Early Literacy Hub Supports Early Literacy Skills at Home
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Through the Spark Early Literacy Hub, caregivers can access the tools they need to support their children’s early literacy skills.
To Recognized for Her Work at the Iowa Reading Research Center
Friday, April 17, 2026
Kristin To has been recognized as a University of Iowa Student Employee of the Year award winner for her work as a graphic storyteller and computer programmer at the Iowa Reading Research Center.
New Morpheme Lab Supports Literacy Across Content Areas
Monday, April 13, 2026
The new Morpheme Lab includes resources for educators interested in implementing explicit morphology instruction.