It's been said before: Teaching reading IS rocket science - or at least similarly difficult. We understand. Learning to read is both complex and crucial. So is teaching students how. Early Reading Matters is our initiative to transform reading instruction in high needs elementary schools.

Diane Daprocida, principal of P.S. 94 said, "We have a very young teaching staff, who came out of college in the last six years without the pedagogy skills to teach reading." Now, she continues, "if you look at our 3rd grade results, they're the highest they've ever been mid-year. That doesn't happen magically. Second grade came into 3rd grade strong."

Of course, even experienced teachers need support, especially in the shifting terrain of the last several years. The Common Core has added new demands, and increasing student populations have led to increasing needs. Teachers must have a deep understanding of how to reach their young learners. In addition, administrators need to know how to target support for teachers. Teaching Matters is there to help build capacity.

Teachers learn to choose appropriate texts, set learning targets, create engaging lessons and track progress using “I can” statements. This systematic approach is driven by the guidance of Teaching Matters coaches who provide teacher leaders, who in collaboration with Teaching Matters continues to support and to build the capacity of teachers to effectively teach reading. It’s practical, it’s deep, and it is very necessary.