Schools Seek Evidence-Based Approaches to Boost Student Reading Volume
School districts nationwide are implementing research-backed strategies to increase the amount students read and build reading stamina across grade levels. Education Week is hosting a virtual forum to examine literacy challenges, share survey data on district efforts, and provide classroom strategies for educators. Topics will include effective public campaigns to encourage reading and classroom routines designed to support reading achievement.
A national education forum is bringing together school administrators, teachers, and researchers to tackle a fundamental challenge in K-12 literacy: getting students to read more. While many districts have adopted evidence-based instructional methods for teaching reading skills, educators recognize that skill alone doesn't guarantee students will engage with texts consistently. The event will feature discussions on designing effective public messaging campaigns, establishing classroom practices that encourage sustained reading, and understanding how different reading formats—physical books versus digital content—affect student comprehension and long-term reading habits.
This initiative could significantly influence how schools allocate resources for literacy programs and shape instructional priorities in coming years. Teachers and administrators who attend may implement new classroom structures or district-level campaigns that alter student reading behaviors. The focus on research-backed strategies could lead schools to invest differently in library services, reading materials, and classroom time allocation. However, actual impact depends on whether districts have capacity to adopt these approaches and whether identified strategies prove effective across diverse student populations and school settings.