RESEARCH-BASED AND VALIDATED
The Research Behind the Reading
Open Court Reading is effective not only because it reinforces student learning through systematic, explicit instruction―but also because it’s backed by time-tested research. Our teacher-informed, research-based strategies translate into undeniable results for every learner.
View ESSA ResearchOPEN COURT eBOOK
Where Learning Science Meets Learning to Read
Open Court Reading was built on research as to how students learn best. As part of the McGraw-Hill family of products, the science of learning continues to drive the evolution of Open Court to meet the needs of today’s students and teachers. This eBook has been developed to share some of the current research with you and demonstrate how the science of learning connects with learning to read with Open Court.
View Learning Science Research

Foundational Skills: Five Ways to Build the Cornerstone of Proficient Reading
This paper, presented by author Marsha Roit, presents the best practices for teaching primary grade students the foundational skills needed for language and literacy development.
Vocabulary:
Why and How?A white paper that addresses questions regarding vocabulary and how word meanings are taught vs. those left to experience without instructional attention.
Effective Teaching Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension in K-3 Students
A practical guide that focuses on strategies for skillful comprehension and effective comprehension instruction.
Building Effective Writing Skills
Steve Graham and Karen R. Harris discuss how to transition students from using a knowledge-based approach to writing to becoming thoughtful writers using four concepts: Create, Support, Teach, and Connect.
Research in
Action BrochureLearn more about the research that supports each component of Open Court Reading with specific and documented research.
Four Basic Ingredients for Teaching Writing
This recorded webinar examines evidence-based practices for teaching writing to young students.
The History of Open Court Reading

Research-Fueled Growth
Initial research in early reading reveals that explicit phonics instruction is crucial for proficiency among emerging readers. This critical information moved Open Court Reading authors to make phonics a cornerstone of the program with Sound/Spelling Cards (first developed by Open Court Reading and an industry breakthrough), explicit instruction, and scaffolded instruction.

Ongoing Research for Additional Support
Additionally, Open Court Reading authors developed Decodable Books to help students apply and reinforce encoding and decoding skills. Continued research in vocabulary and comprehension introduced the need for advanced reading selections to support vocabulary development and critical comprehension.

An Eye on the Future
Today, Open Court Reading continues to evolve, responding to new technologies, valuable teacher feedback, and relevant research findings. It continues to achieve documented success in schools and districts across the country―aligning with changing classroom demographics to ensure equity across the socioeconomic spectrum and proactive inclusion for students at all levels of learning.
Contact Your Sales Rep
Want to start a one-on-one dialogue, get a personal demo, or begin a free trial of Open Court Reading? Contact your local sales rep today.
