Why Structured Literacy is the Key to Reading Success for All Students
For decades, many schools have relied on typical literacy practices that emphasize whole-word memorization, predictable texts, and a less structured approach to phonics instruction. However, research consistently shows that Structured Literacy—a method that explicitly teaches the structure of language—is far more effective for all emergent readers, especially those who struggle with reading, including dyslexic students. Here’s why Structured Literacy provides a stronger foundation for reading success.
1. Phonemic Awareness and Phonics are Explicitly Taught
Typical literacy instruction often leans on larger-unit approaches like “word families” rather than focusing on phoneme-grapheme relationships. Structured Literacy, on the other hand, ensures that students learn how letters and sounds correspond through direct instruction. Phonemic awareness skills, such as phoneme blending and segmentation, are explicitly taught, giving students the tools to decode unfamiliar words rather than relying on memorization.
2. Decoding and Spelling Instruction are Coordinated
In Structured Literacy, decoding and spelling are systematically linked. Beginners work on similar word patterns, such as consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words, in both reading and spelling. This coordination strengthens word recognition and spelling ability simultaneously. Typical literacy practices, however, often focus on memorizing whole words, which can leave students without strategies for tackling new words.
3. Instruction is Systematic and Teacher-Led
Structured Literacy prioritizes explicit, teacher-led, systematic instruction. Students are guided step by step, ensuring they build foundational reading skills in a logical progression. In contrast, typical literacy instruction often lacks this structure, sometimes assuming that students will naturally “pick up” reading skills through exposure rather than direct teaching.
4. Decodable Texts vs. Predictable Texts
A hallmark of Structured Literacy is the use of decodable texts—books designed to align with the phonics skills students are learning. This allows emergent readers to practice decoding words instead of guessing. Typical literacy practices often use leveled or predictable texts, which contain many words that struggling readers cannot decode, leading to reliance on pictures, guessing, or rote memorization instead of true reading skills.
5. Effective Teacher Feedback
In Structured Literacy, teachers provide immediate feedback that reinforces decoding strategies and attention to print. This helps students develop strong word recognition skills. In contrast, in typical literacy settings, feedback may be limited and may even encourage students to guess at words based on context rather than using phonics skills to decode them.
Why This Matters for Struggling and Dyslexic Readers
Dyslexic students and struggling readers need explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction to succeed. Structured Literacy provides this by breaking reading into its component skills and teaching them in a logical order. Research supports Structured Literacy as the most effective approach for dyslexic learners, but it is also beneficial for all students, ensuring that no child is left behind in developing strong reading skills.
If we want to equip all students with the ability to read and spell confidently, we must move away from guesswork and memorization and toward the structured, evidence-based practices that work. Structured Literacy isn’t just for struggling readers—it’s the best way to teach reading to every student.
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