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"Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help."

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Reading Rockets is a national public media literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.

We bring the best research-based strategies to teachers, parents, administrators, librarians, childcare providers, and anyone else involved in helping a young child become a strong, confident reader. Our goal is to bring the reading research to life - to spread the word about reading instruction and to present "what works" in a way that parents and educators can understand and use.

Our mission

The National Institutes of Health estimates that one in five children has serious difficulties learning to read. These children are potentially among the most troubled kids in society. With early identification and a lot of help, however, children who struggle to read can flourish; without it they are at risk for failure in school and in life.

Since 1965, the federal government has invested more than $100 million to find out why so many children have problems learning to read and what can be done. Thanks to that research, we now know how to identify children at risk and how to help them before they fail. Reading Rockets' mission is to take that research-based and best-practice information and make it available to as many people as possible through the power and reach of television and the Internet.

Launched in 2001, Reading Rockets is an education initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital. Learn more about the Reading Rockets project in this audio interview with Executive Director Noel Gunther, on the national radio series The Parent's Journal With Bobbi Conner.

Our funders

From 2001 to 2012, the project was funded by a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. In 2013, we received a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to relaunch ReadingRockets.org with new content and improved usability on mobile and desktop. Since 2014, Reading Rockets has received funding from The Poses Family Foundation.

Projects

Reading Rockets creates and disseminates free, evidence-based information about reading through our three major services: PBS television programs, online services, and professional development opportunities.

In-depth resources - all about reading

ReadingRockets.org provides free resources about teaching children to read and helping kids who struggle. You'll find a hundreds of articles on teaching reading, classroom strategies, in-classroom video, parent tips in 11 languages, video interviews with top children's book authors, a daily news service, and much more.

Our companion bilingual initiative, Colorín Colorado, provides information, activities, and tips for Spanish-speaking parents and educators of English language learners (ELLs). Colorín Colorado receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.

Free professional development for teachers

Reading 101: A Guide to Teaching Reading and Writing - our self-paced course for pre-K to grade 3 teachers presents the most vital information and strategies that teachers need to help students become skilled readers and writers.

Reading Rockets also produces free webcasts for teacher professional development. The webcasts offer teachers an opportunity to hear from national experts, and are available online to watch at any time. Watch and listen to experts Steven Graham, Isabel Beck, Diane August, Mary Ruth Coleman, Robert Pianta, and others.

PBS programs

We use the power of public TV to show how parents and educators can help children become better readers. Our Launching Young Readers series explores the stages of reading that every child goes through. Hosts like Morgan Freeman and Henry Winkler bring it all to life.

Stay connected through social media

Reading Rockets has a robust presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest. Follow us regularly to find the latest research, reading news, tip sheets, children's books, interviews with experts and authors, writing contests, literacy events, and much more.

Help spread the word

Please let others know about Reading Rockets and help us spread the word about the importance of reading. The Connect, Link and Share page has lots of suggestions, from flyers to web widgets to video embeds. The Reading Rockets in Action page may inspire you with the innovative ways many different people and organizations are using our resources.

Reading Rockets also welcomes press inquiries. Press materials, including press releases and high-resolution images, are available in our Press Room.

Reprint policy

You are welcome to print copies for personal use, or a limited number for educational purposes, as long as credit is given to Reading Rockets and the author(s).

Material from our website may not be sold or used commercially. Permission to publish materials must be granted by the copyright holder.

Because we get our articles from a variety of sources, please check the bottom of the article for special reprint permissions or restrictions from the publisher.

If you have questions, please contact us at info@readingrockets.org.

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Reading Rockets is a national public media literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help. We bring the best research-based strategies to teachers, parents, administrators, librarians, childcare providers, and anyone else involved in helping a young child become a strong, confident reader.

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What do Struggling Readers Really Need?

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Valencia & Buly, Behind Test Scores copy

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Duke et al. Ess Elem of Fostering and Tching Rdg Comp

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Brown, 2003, What do I say when they get stuck on a word

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Dennis. I'm not stupid. How assessment drives (in)appropriate reading instruction

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Afflerbach-2016-Reading Assmt, Looking Ahead (1)

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Getting to the Root of the Problem

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Ward, Fisher, Frey, and Lapp, pp. 48-66 (only start on p. 48)

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Serravallo chapter 3, gr. K-2, pp. 93-113

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Shephard. Role of Assmt in Learning Culture

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Progress Monitoring and Instructional Levels

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Intervention and prevention efforts in reading seek to help students before they fail in school. These articles, research briefs, videos, webcasts and other resources can help parents and teachers support a struggling reader. See also our section on Response to Intervention (RTI). Featured partner: National Center for Learning Disabilities