Science of Reading
Partnering for Literacy Success: How Huntington Aligns with the Science of Reading
As educators, you understand that reading proficiency is foundational to student success across all subject areas and that gaps in literacy often signal broader academic struggles. At Huntington Learning Center, we share your commitment to evidence-based instruction and measurable outcomes. That’s why our programs are built on the Science of Reading and designed to reinforce what schools are striving to deliver in the classroom.
Today, more districts and state leaders are prioritizing literacy reform grounded in the Science of Reading. This body of research, spanning cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and education, has confirmed what many educators have long known: literacy instruction must be systematic, explicit, and rooted in the core components identified by decades of research. Huntington’s instructional approach, known as Structured Literacy, directly aligns with these principles, supporting schools and educators in their efforts to close literacy gaps and accelerate learning for all students.
The Science of Reading: A Common Ground for Collaboration
Defined by the Reading League and supporting by the findings from the National Reading Panel, the Science of Reading outlines five key pillars necessary for strong literacy development:
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
While some schools continue to shift away from Balanced Literacy toward a more structured, evidence-based model, the transition can take time. Huntington Learning Center can serve as a valuable partner during this shift, providing targeted reading instruction aligned with district goals, supporting intervention efforts, and helping students gain the foundational skills they need to succeed.
Structured Literacy in Action: What It Looks Like at Huntington
Huntington’s reading programs are intentionally designed to support each of the Five Pillars:
- Phonemic Awareness: Instruction begins with sound-letter relationships and oral language patterns to build a strong phonological foundation.
- Phonics: Our individualized phonics instruction is both diagnostic and prescriptive, covering blends, clusters, letter recognition, and decoding skills.
- Fluency: Repeated readings and structured fluency exercises improve automaticity, pacing, and expression.
- Vocabulary: We provide explicit vocabulary instruction integrated with reading practice to strengthen word knowledge and academic language.
- Comprehension: Students build comprehension skills through guided reading and strategic questioning, including inferencing, summarizing, and context clues.
A Growing National Movement
School districts across the country are realigning their literacy strategies with the Science of Reading, and state-level policy is accelerating this change. For example:
- In Ohio, the Future Forward initiative is equipping educators with the tools to deliver evidence-based instruction and partnering with approved providers—including Huntington Learning Center—to support over 2,000 students in reading and math.
- In Massachusetts, Governor Healey’s early literacy plan focuses on evidence-aligned reading instruction.
- In New York, Governor Hochul’s budget includes funding to train educators in the Science of Reading and revise district curricula accordingly.
These initiatives underscore the growing importance of research-backed literacy instruction—and the need for community partnerships to meet student needs at scale.
A Proven Partner in Student Success
Huntington is proud to partner with districts and families nationwide to deliver personalized instruction that complement classroom learning. Our certified teachers are trained in Structured Literacy practices and work closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure consistency between in-center and in-school progress.
For school leaders looking to strengthen Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, reduce the number of students reading below grade level, or support students with dyslexia or learning differences, Huntington offers a practical and proven extension of your literacy efforts.
Let’s Work Together
We believe in working alongside schools—not apart from them. Our goal is to support your mission, accelerate student growth, and deliver outcomes that matter. Whether through district-sponsored partnerships, grant-funded programs, or approved provider initiatives like Ohio’s Future Forward, we’re ready to collaborate.
References
Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read. Penguin.
National Reading Panel. (2000). Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment.
of the scientific research literature and its implications for reading instruction. National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development. a Social Justice Issue. In Renaissance (Ed.), The Science of Reading Playbook (Chapter 5). https://renaissance.widen.net/s/wgr2mf65b7/637112-scienceofreading-playbook
Schwartz, S. (2024, January 25). The ‘Science of Reading’ in 2024: 5 State Initiatives to Watch. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-science-of-reading-in-2024-5-state-initiatives-to-watch/2024/01
The Reading League. (2021). Science of Reading: Defining Guide. Retrieved from https://www.thereadingleague.org/what-is-the-science-of-reading/
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Literacy/The-Science-of-Reading
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