blog

Three students stand in front of a map of the world.

Literacy Is Every Subject—Social Studies

Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Collaborative strategic reading (CSR) is a research-based, whole-group comprehension strategy that has been linked to improvements in comprehension of expository texts, such as those in social studies classes.
A teacher smiling in front of a classroom of students.

How Does Teachers’ Knowledge of Reading Contribute to Student Learning?

Tuesday, October 21, 2025
An overview of the research on teacher knowledge, the assessments used to measure it, and its impact on student literacy success.
Q&A graphic featuring Caleb Ferring.

Reconceptualizing Challenges as Learning Opportunities With Caleb Ferring

Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Caleb Ferring is a teacher and wrestling coach in Waukon who discovered he had characteristics of dyslexia after taking the Iowa Reading Research Center’s Dyslexia Overview eLearning module.
Image of Lauren Schafer in front of the Lindquist building sign with the caption "Q&A with Lauren Schafer"

Learning the Science of Reading: Q & A With a First-Year Teacher

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Lauren Schafer, a special education teacher in her first year of teaching, shares her experience with preparing for the classroom.
students writing at a table

Data-Based Instruction Supports Early Writing Skills

Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Training in data-based individualization has benefits for both teachers and students.
two students use a microscope

Literacy Is Every Subject—Science

Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Teaching vocabulary using Semantic Feature Analysis can help students learn science concepts.
two men work together on a computer

Is Tier 1.5 Needed? Steps to Consider for a Classwide Reading Intervention

Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Educators can use the Tier 1.5 Calculator to determine if a Tier 1.5 intervention is necessary.
graphic displaying the tiers of support

How Many Tiers of Reading Support Are Enough? Tier 1.5 in Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Some research suggests that classwide intervention, or Tier 1.5, can be beneficial when the majority of students in a class are not meeting reading goals.
An image of Dr. Erica Lembre on a yellow background

Using Data to Improve Instruction With Dr. Erica Lembke

Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Dr. Erica Lembke, featured speaker at the 2025 Iowa Science of Reading Summit, shares details about her current research on Data-Based Individualization in math and writing instruction.
girl writes on a whiteboard

Opportunities to Respond: Implementing a Cycle of Planning, Measuring, and Coaching

Monday, June 23, 2025
Online tools, such as the IRRC’s MOTR-Cycle, can be used to track opportunities to respond and improve student engagement.
An adult man stands in front of several other seated adults in a lecture hall or conference room.

Teacher Knowledge of Early Reading Supports Student Gains

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Teacher knowledge of reading affects student performance on foundational literacy skills assessments.
three teachers discuss together

How Do We Change Misconceptions Around Dyslexia?

Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Conceptual change theory can be used to correct misconceptions surrounding dyslexia.