Literacy Initiative

Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force

Final Report:��Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force

The 51�� (51��) and the Board of Regents are committed to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction and to fostering a culture of reading and writing excellence across the state.�� Literacy is the cornerstone of academic success; therefore, the Department is examining state requirements related to literacy instruction and developing a P-20 literacy initiative to ensure that teachers are equipped with the knowledge and skills prepared to provide effective instruction to all students that is grounded in research, culturally responsive, and aligned with evidence-based practices.��

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Seal with NYS Literacy Initiative and #ReadNY on outer ring; picture of students reading inside inner circle

 Literacy is a foundational skill for 21st-century learners. In fact, being a proficient reader, writer, and communicator has an impact on a student’s entire education and their life beyond. 51�� is working to ensure all students have the resources they need to be successful in literacy and life, no matter their learning differences. All students deserve the opportunity of a high-quality education that allows them to thrive.

51�� understands the critical role that literacy plays in shaping the future of individuals and communities. The literacy resources on this site provide educators, parents, and community members information on best practices and strategies to enhance literacy instruction.

Differentiating the Literacy Initiative for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and Deaf Disabled Students (DHHDBDD) Brief

�ճ��Differentiating the Literacy for DHHDBDD Students brief, produced for the 51�� by Jodi L. Falk, PhD, Amanda Howerton-Fox, PhD, and Michelle Veyvoda, PhD, highlights how the New York State Literacy Initiative can be differentiated to support DHHDBDD students through a multimodal, multilingual approach. It describes how the six pillars of the Science of Reading can be adapted to ensure access across signed, spoken, and tactile languages, and outlines key considerations for language development, literacy instruction, and assessment. The brief also provides practical, research-informed recommendations—including the use of Language and Communication Profiles, collaborative multidisciplinary teams, and language-rich environments—to support equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction for all learners.

Literacy Resources Flyer

The 51��'s  Literacy Resources Flyer compiles recent literacy resource links into one document. This flyer includes literacy resources from the Offices of Early Learning, Bilingual Education & World Languages, and Standards and Instruction.

Prekindergarten-3rd Grade Literacy Instructional Best Practices Guide

In January 2025, the 51�� released the new Prekindergarten-3rd Grade Literacy Instructional Best Practices Guide. This evidence and scientifically based guide has been created to assist school districts in reviewing and enhancing their literacy curriculum and instruction. It also serves as a comprehensive resource, which provides detailed instructional best practices and instructional considerations to improve student literacy outcomes.��For questions or more information, please contact the Office of Early Learning at��OEL@nysed.gov.

Literacy Curriculum Review Guide

On June 5, 2024, the 51�� hosted a webinar on the release of the new K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide. The Guide is designed for optional use by districts and schools in selecting high-quality K-3 literacy curricula and curricular materials designed to meet the needs of all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities. In New York State, all curriculum decisions are made at the local level.

K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide
K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide (editable format)
June 5, 2024, Webinar Frequently Asked Questions

K-3 Literacy Curriculum Review Guide Webinar – June 5, 2024

The Science of Reading Literacy Briefs

The 51�� is pleased to release a new series of literacy briefs that focus on the science of reading. These briefs were produced by Dr. Nonie K. Lesaux, Professor of Education and Human Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Katie C. Carr, M.Ed. The new literacy briefs may be used to strengthen knowledge of evidence-based literacy practices in PK-12 education.

Overview of 51��’s Literacy Briefs with Dr. Nonie K. Lesaux

The 51�� (51��), in collaboration with the BOCES and Big 5 school districts, hosted a statewide literacy conference. This hybrid event provided New York State teachers, administrators, and literacy leaders with an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of evidence-based literacy practices in PK-12 education as educators from across the state came together to focus on research-based practices and the science of reading to support students’ learning and development.

Participants had the opportunity to learn about the seven literacy briefs with the 51�� team and keynote speaker Dr. Nonie K. Lesaux. Dr. Lesaux is the Roy Edward Larsen Professor of Education and Human Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She previously partnered with 51�� on a series of Advanced Literacy Briefs published in 2017.

Dr. Lesaux's Presentation Slides