“I believed then, and I believe now, that every child can learn to read when they are taught the right way. That conviction has never wavered.”

Ahead of his keynote session at the IMSE Leadership Literacy Summit 2026, Kareem Weaver sat down with us for a Q&A about what it takes to bring the science of reading into every classroom.

As the science of reading gains traction, misconceptions about where literacy begins persist. This second article in a three-part series reframes literacy through the lens of oral language, examining why language is the foundation that supports comprehension, equity, and long-term reading success.

Strong phonics instruction can mask deeper challenges when oral language development goes unseen. This first article in a three-part series examines how invisible language gaps impact comprehension and why intentional oral language instruction is essential for lasting literacy success.

Many educators aren’t sure what evidence-based actually means and how it differs from another common term, research-based. We have the answer!