What Does the Evidence Tell Us About Adult Decoding Instruction?
back to the clearinghouse What Does the Evidence Tell Us? Adults who struggle to read may benefit from explicit instruction in how letters and sounds work together. Research suggests that systematic decoding instruction can strengthen word-reading skills, particularly when instruction is paired with meaningful reading, fluency practice, and ongoing support. Why Does Decoding Matter? Decoding is […]
Is My Adult Learner Struggling with Decoding or Fluency?
back to the clearinghouse What’s the Difference? Decoding: Reading the words Decoding is the ability to use letter-sound patterns and meaningful word parts to figure out unfamiliar words. A learner may need more decoding support if they: Struggle to sound out unfamiliar words Guess words based on the first letter Frequently substitute or mispronounce words […]
Evidence Snapshot for Families: Helping Your Family Member Grow Their Literacy Skills
Why This Matters What the Research Tells Us How You Can Help What to Watch For Finding Help in Kentucky Takeaway With encouragement, help staying enrolled, and a focus on real-life goals, the adult in your life can build stronger reading skills over time. The information provided in this summary is based on findings from Systematic […]
Evidence Snapshot for Educator Preparation Providers: Equipping Adult Educators to Deliver Explicit Reading Instruction
Why This Matters About 1 in 4 U.S. adults have difficulty with basic reading (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024), yet adult literacy instruction receives far less research and investment than K-12. Many adult educators do not hold degrees in education or credentials specific to adult literacy, and often receive minimal in-house professional development or […]
Evidence Snapshot for Educators: Effective Classroom Strategies for Adult Literacy Learners
Why This Matters About 1 in 4 U.S. adults age 16 and older have difficulty with basic reading (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). Adult learners bring real-world goals—a GED, a job credential, reading a supervisor’s email, or reading to their children. The same reading components that matter for children (decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) matter […]
Evidence Snapshot for Education and Civic Leaders: Supporting Effective Adult Literacy Instruction
Why it Matters About 1 in 4 U.S. adults age 16 and older (roughly 25%) have difficulty with basic reading (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). Low adult literacy shows up in daily life—reading health instructions, a supervisor’s email, a child’s school forms, or a bedtime story. Adult reading skills are tied to workforce readiness, […]
Systematic Review of Effective Reading Component Interventions for Adult Literacy Learners
Approximately 25% of adults in the United States aged 16 and older have difficulty with basic reading skills, yet research on effective interventions for this population remains limited. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on reading component interventions for adult literacy learners published between 2010 and 2025, addressing three questions: What student and intervention characteristics have […]
