Across classrooms in the U.S., millions of children are struggling to meet grade-level reading expectations. In fact, more than one in three students nationwide cannot read at a basic level of proficiency by the end of third grade, a statistic that has remained stubbornly persistent for decades. Among underserved populations including English Language Learners (ELLs), students with learning differences, and those in under-resourced schools, the gap is even wider.

Because reading by third grade is a pivotal benchmark in a child’s educational journey. Up to third grade, students are learning to read. From fourth grade onward, they’re expected to read to learn. When children fall behind in those foundational years, they’re more likely to struggle with comprehension across all subjects math, science, social studies and face long-term academic, social, and emotional consequences.

Longitudinal studies have shown that students who are not proficient readers by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. These early reading gaps can translate into lifelong opportunity gaps.

The good news? Reading success is within reach, when students are given the right support, instruction, and encouragement. It starts by ensuring they not only read more, but read better—and ultimately experience the kind of meaningful success that builds confidence and opens doors.

This article explores how educators and schools can help all students—regardless of background or ability—achieve that outcome.

Help Kids Read More: Creating Volume and Habit

When it comes to developing strong, confident readers, volume matters. The more children read, the more words they encounter, the more ideas they absorb, and the more fluent they become. Research consistently shows that students who read regularly have larger vocabularies, deeper background knowledge, and stronger reading comprehension skills than peers who read less frequently.

Reading more isn’t just about exposure—it’s about transformation. With every book, students improve their ability to decode words, recognize patterns, and build the stamina required for longer, more complex texts. This daily habit lays the foundation for academic success across every subject.

Daily Reading as a Non-Negotiable

According to numerous literacy studies, including recommendations from the National Reading Panel, just 20 minutes of reading per day can make a dramatic difference in a child’s educational trajectory. Students who read for 20 minutes daily encounter over 1.8 million words per year—compared to just 8,000 words for students who read less than a minute a day. That kind of exposure has a profound impact on vocabulary acquisition, reading fluency, and comprehension.

By embedding reading into the daily routine—both at school and at home—educators and caregivers can normalize reading as a critical and enjoyable part of everyday life. For students who struggle, short, consistent bursts of practice are more effective than occasional cram sessions.

Student Choice and Access: Fueling Motivation

One of the most powerful ways to get kids reading more is to let them choose what they read. When students have access to a wide variety of high-interest, level-appropriate books, they are more likely to stay engaged and develop intrinsic motivation. This choice empowers students to explore genres, topics, and characters that resonate with their own experiences, cultures, and curiosities.

Choice also supports autonomy—a key factor in developing lifelong readers. When students feel a sense of ownership over their reading journey, they’re more likely to persevere through challenges and take pride in their progress.

Independent Reading ≠ Silent Reading

A common misconception in classrooms is that independent reading time should be silent. But for many young or struggling readers, reading aloud is critical. It allows students to build fluency, develop proper intonation, and receive feedback on pronunciation and pacing. Reading aloud also activates different cognitive processes and can help teachers or tools detect errors that go unnoticed during silent reading.

This is especially important for students with dyslexia, speech-language challenges, or for English Language Learners, where decoding and oral language development go hand-in-hand.

To truly help kids read more, we must rethink not only how often they read—but how they engage with text. By building daily habits, offering choice, and incorporating oral reading into regular practice, we can dramatically increase reading volume—and in turn, accelerate growth.

Help Kids Succeed: Measure, Celebrate, and Sustain Progress

Helping kids succeed in reading means more than boosting scores on a standardized test. True success is reflected in growth over time—increased reading levels, improved fluency, stronger comprehension, and, just as importantly, greater confidence and motivation.

When students experience reading as something they can do—and do well—they begin to internalize a sense of competence. That mindset shift is what sustains progress, not just in reading, but across all areas of learning.

Redefining Success: It’s More Than a Number

Success in literacy should be seen through a multi-dimensional lens. While test scores are one data point, more meaningful indicators of progress include:

• Advancing one or more reading levels over a semester or year

• Reading more words correctly per minute (WCPM)

• Improving comprehension scores on both literal and inferential questions

• Choosing to read independently and expressing joy or confidence in doing so

For struggling readers, even small gains—like reading a book start-to-finish or decoding a challenging word independently—are milestones that deserve recognition.

The Power of Transparent, Actionable Data

To truly support student success, both educators and parents need clear, accessible data. Real-time insights into reading activity—such as minutes read, fluency rates, accuracy, and comprehension—enable teachers to intervene early, adjust instruction, and celebrate progress authentically.

When data is shared meaningfully with families, it creates a bridge between school and home, helping parents better understand how their child is growing and where support is needed. This kind of visibility transforms data from a diagnostic tool into a motivational roadmap.

Reading Success = Academic Success

Literacy is a gateway skill. Students who read well are far more likely to succeed in math, science, and social studies—not because reading replaces those subjects, but because it unlocks access to the content. From understanding multi-step word problems in math to synthesizing primary sources in social studies, strong reading skills are foundational.

Reading proficiency has also been linked to higher graduation rates, postsecondary enrollment, and even long-term earning potential. Simply put, when students succeed in reading, they succeed in life.

Celebrate Growth, Sustain Motivation

Consistency in reading comes not just from instruction, but from motivation and joy. Students are more likely to stay engaged when they feel seen and celebrated. That’s why incorporating:

• Milestone celebrations (e.g., reading 10 books, leveling up)

• Visual progress dashboards to track growth

• Gamification features like badges, points, and praise

• Self-monitoring tools to help students set and achieve personal goals

When students track their own success and are encouraged by both peers and adults, reading becomes a source of pride—not pressure.

By measuring what matters, celebrating each step, and building in tools that sustain momentum, schools can create literacy ecosystems where all students can succeed—and know that they’re succeeding.

What Schools Can Do Today

While systemic change in literacy takes time, there are immediate, actionable steps schools and districts can take to begin improving outcomes for all readers—starting today. From cultivating a love for reading to leveraging innovative instructional tools, these strategies empower educators to meet students where they are and help them move forward with confidence.

1. Create a Culture of Reading

A strong literacy foundation begins with a schoolwide commitment to reading. This means going beyond a designated “reading block” and embedding reading into the fabric of the day—from morning routines to cross-curricular activities.

• Encourage daily reading at school and at home with minimum reading goals (e.g., 20 minutes/day).

• Design classroom environments that celebrate books, showcase student recommendations, and promote reading diversity.

• Host regular school-wide reading events—like book challenges, author visits, or “Drop Everything and Read” days—to build community around reading.

• Partner with families to extend the culture of reading into the home, offering resources and support in multiple languages and formats.

Creating a culture of reading sends a clear message: Reading is essential. Reading is joyful. Reading is for everyone.

2. Integrate Oral Reading Practice into the School Day

Silent reading has its place, but for developing readers—especially ELLs, students with dyslexia, or those struggling with fluency—oral reading practice is critical. It builds decoding accuracy, expression, pacing, and confidence.

Schools should:

• Designate time during literacy blocks for guided oral reading, partner reading, or read-alouds.

• Train educators on how to model fluent reading and give feedback on pronunciation and phrasing.

• Normalize reading aloud without judgment, creating a supportive environment where students feel safe making mistakes and trying again.

• Incorporate oral reading practice with adaptive technology that listens, tracks, and supports student fluency development in real time.

Oral reading transforms reading from a passive activity into an active skill-building experience.

3. Use Tools That Support Personalized, Adaptive Instruction

No two readers are alike. That’s why schools must leverage tools and platforms that adapt to each student’s skill level, learning pace, and areas of need.

Effective literacy tools today can:

• Deliver differentiated content that adjusts in real-time as students grow

• Provide immediate feedback on pronunciation, accuracy, and comprehension

• Support multisensory instruction aligned with the Science of Reading

• Offer inclusive features for students with learning differences, such as dyslexia, autism, or ADHD

When adaptive technology complements strong instruction, it allows for individualized learning at scale, making it possible to support every reader—not just those who raise their hand.

4. Support Teachers with Real-Time Data

Teachers are at the heart of literacy success—but without clear insight into how students are progressing, it’s hard to know where to focus support. Real-time, actionable data empowers teachers to:

• Pinpoint gaps in fluency, accuracy, or comprehension

• Adjust groupings and materials based on current reading levels

• Target interventions early—before small challenges become big ones

• Celebrate progress and motivate students with visible growth metrics

Data should be easy to access, understand, and apply—not a burden. When schools invest in platforms that give teachers the right information at the right time, they unlock the full potential of responsive teaching and evidence-based decision-making.

By creating a culture of literacy, prioritizing oral reading, using adaptive tools, and supporting teachers with meaningful data, schools can transform reading instruction and outcomes—starting now.

Turn Possibility into Progress

If your goal is to empower every student with the tools they need to thrive—not just in reading, but across all subjects and stages of learning—there’s no better time to act.

Imagine your students reading more books, developing stronger comprehension, gaining fluency, and finally feeling confident in their reading abilities. Imagine teachers having real-time insight into student growth and families finally feeling connected to their child’s learning journey. That’s not just possible—it’s happening in schools that prioritize evidence-based, tech-enabled literacy solutions.

Now is the moment to bring that transformation to your classroom, your school, your district.

Try Readability free and explore how AI-powered reading instruction—grounded in the Science of Reading and built for equity—can accelerate progress for all learners, including ELLs, students with dyslexia, and struggling readers.

Let’s build a future where every child has the support they need to read more, read better, and succeed. Get Started with Readability.