Balanced Literacy vs. Structured Literacy: What’s the Difference?

SYSTEMATIC & COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURED LITERACY: The evidence-based approach of Structured Literacy uses a systematic and explicit instructional method to teach foundational skills to mastery. Read More
FRAGMENTED BALANCED LITERACY: In contrast, balanced literacy uses a more fragmented approach that teaches children to read through context clues (guessing & cueing), meaning and story elements with less instructional time for skill mastery.

What are the Advantages of an Evidence-Based Structured Literacy Approach?

SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTION: While some children can learn to read with very little direct instruction, most children require direct, explicit instruction of foundational literacy skills taught systematically and cohesively in scope and sequence.
PREVENTATIVE: Structured literacy teaches essential foundational skills during the crucial early learning in grades K-2, which has been proven to prevent future learning struggles.
- - Children who continue to struggle to read after second grade rarely catch up and will be more likely to have lifelong learning struggles.
EQUITABLE APPROACH TO READING: Structured Literacy is an equitable approach to teaching reading that is aligned with scientifically proven, evidence based practices about how best to teach reading and support students of all abilities.
KNOWLEDGE BUILDING CURRICULUM: Structured literacy also includes whole class learning of content rich books that build in-depth knowledge and increase vocabulary & comprehension.

Who Needs Structured Literacy?

Reading is not a natural, innate process. It is a complex process and must be taught with direct instruction by teachers with extensive knowledge and skills across the components of word recognition, language comprehension, spelling, and writing. A structured literacy approach is necessary for most students and beneficial for all, especially to prevent reading struggles.

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