Unlocking Literacy: The Science of Reading & Voyager Sopris Learning’s Evidence-Based Solutions
The Science of Reading offers a clear, research-based framework for how reading is learned and how it should be taught. When schools adopt curricula and instructional practices aligned to this research—and when they work with trusted partners like Voyager Sopris Learning—they increase their chances of helping every student become a confident, proficient reader.
Investing in quality materials is important, but the real improvement happens when teachers are supported, instruction is consistent, and programs are implemented with fidelity. If you’re exploring literacy solutions, consider how well a program aligns to the Science of Reading components, and whether the provider offers the training and support your team will need.
Reading proficiency is foundational to student success. For decades, educators have searched for instructional methods that reliably help students become fluent, independent readers. Today, the Science of Reading offers a research-based roadmap—and Voyager Sopris Learning is delivering intervention and instructional solutions aligned to that research.
In this blog we’ll dive into:
What the Science of Reading means
Why it matters for educators and learners
How Voyager Sopris Learning is supporting schools with aligned programs
Tips for choosing and implementing a true aligned solution
What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is not a single method or curriculum; instead, it’s a body of multidisciplinary research from cognitive science, linguistics, psychology and education that shows how readers learn to read and what instructional practices are most effective.
Key components of the Science of Reading include:
Phonemic awareness: the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in spoken language.
Phonics: systematic instruction in the relationships between letters and sounds, enabling decoding and encoding of words.
Fluency: reading with accuracy, speed, and expression so comprehension can occur.
Vocabulary: knowing word meanings and being able to use them effectively in context.
Comprehension: actively making meaning from text, including inference, background knowledge, metacognitive strategies.
Language (oral and written): development of syntax, grammar, discourse, and the underlying structure that supports comprehension.
In short: when instruction is systematic, explicit, cumulative and aligned to how the brain learns to read, student outcomes improve.
Why It Matters for Schools & Students
Implementing a Science of Reading-aligned instructional model matters because:
Many learners who struggle do so because prior instruction lacked systematic decoding and comprehension supports.
It offers a clear framework and sequencing for reading skills, reducing reliance on guess-work or “look at the picture/context” strategies.
When done well, it promotes equity: almost all students—including those with dyslexia or second-language learners—can make meaningful gains when taught using evidence-based methods.
Administrators and educators gain data-driven insight into literacy progress, helping them identify gaps early and intervene effectively.
According to VSL, their mission is to help “every student master the foundational reading and math skills they need to be successful in school, career, and life.”
How Voyager Sopris Learning Aligns With the Science of Reading
Voyager Sopris Learning offers a portfolio of solutions designed to align with Science of Reading research and support schools with both core instruction and intervention. Here’s how:
1. Curriculum & Intervention Programs
Their “Reading Programs” page lists numerous products developed to help students master essential skills and engage with grade-level content.
Voyager Passport (Grades K-5)
REWARDS (Grades 4-12)
Read Well (Grades K-3)
LINKS to Literacy (Grades K-5)
These programs are built around systematic, explicit instruction in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and language development—all key Science of Reading components.
2. Professional Learning & Implementation Support
VSL recognizes that shifting instructional practice requires more than new materials—it requires professional development and support. Their site mentions training, webinars, and a community of educators through EDVIEW360 to help implement Science of Reading practices.
3. Solutions and Implementation Options
Their solutions page shows how VSL supports a variety of needs: reading intervention, dyslexia support, tutoring, summer learning, decodable readers—all within a framework tied to the Science of Reading.
Choosing the Right Science of Reading Solution: What to Look For
If you’re evaluating literacy solutions for your school or district, here are criteria grounded in the Science of Reading research:
Explicit & systematic phonics instruction: Does the program start with phoneme awareness, move to phonics, and build fluency before heavy comprehension tasks?
Sequenced progression: Skills build logically; readers are scaffolded from simple to complex.
Decodable texts: Early reading materials align with the phonics taught (not just predictable/“patterned” texts).
Fluency & comprehension practice: Beyond decoding, does the curriculum address expression, meaning-making, vocabulary, and background knowledge?
Language development: Oral and written language structures are taught and integrated.
Data & diagnostics: Real-time or timely data informs instruction and intervention.
Professional learning: Teachers are trained in the “why” and “how” of reading science—not just given a program.
Fidelity & support: Implementation support, monitoring, and adjusting for real classroom conditions.
Voyager Sopris Learning’s materials and support claim alignment with these features.
Implementation Tips for Educators
Once a Science of Reading program is selected, successful implementation matters. Here are practical tips:
Start with a needs assessment: Where are students now? What are their gaps in phonics, decoding, fluency, comprehension?
Build professional capacity: Provide teacher training, model lessons, coaching, and time to practice. VSL’s resources (webinars, podcasts) can help.
Schedule dedicated blocks: Ensure students receive sufficient and consistent instructional time for foundational skill development.
Use decodable texts & structured literacy: Especially in early grades, emphasize texts aligned to phonics being taught.
Monitor progress and intervene early: Use data to guide small-group instruction and provide extra practice to students who struggle.
Communicate with all stakeholders: Principals, teachers, literacy coaches, parents—all should understand what Science of Reading means and how the instructional changes are occurring.
Maintain fidelity: Ensure the selected curriculum is used as intended and adjusted only when needed, not replaced by “teacher preference” wholes.
Adapt for older students: For grades 4–12, older readers may still need foundational decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension support; VSL’s REWARDS program addresses this.
Final Thoughts
The Science of Reading offers a clear, research-based framework for how reading is learned and how it should be taught. When schools adopt curricula and instructional practices aligned to this research—and when they work with trusted partners like Voyager Sopris Learning—they increase their chances of helping every student become a confident, proficient reader.
Investing in quality materials is important, but the real improvement happens when teachers are supported, instruction is consistent, and programs are implemented with fidelity. If you’re exploring literacy solutions, consider how well a program aligns to the Science of Reading components, and whether the provider offers the training and support your team will need.
With the right approach, you won’t just teach reading—you’ll unlock it.