Closing the literacy gap: New toolkit helps schools implement, sustain professional learning

Closing the literacy gap: New toolkit helps schools implement, sustain professional learning

PR Newswire

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Sept. 9, 2026

95 Percent Group launches "95 Principles to Practice™—Literacy" to turn science of reading knowledge into effective classroom instruction

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 95 Percent Group today announced the launch of 95 Principles to Practice™—Literacy, a comprehensive facilitator toolkit designed to support school districts in translating science of reading knowledge into daily instructional practice. The toolkit helps close the persistent "knowing-doing gap" by equipping in-house facilitators to lead professional learning communities (PLCs) that support teachers in translating research into sustainable classroom implementation.

Science of reading awareness has grown significantly, but implementation remains inconsistent. About 82% of K–3 teachers report completing science of reading training, but just 52% say their instruction fully reflects the methods they learned, according to a report by the Fordham Institute. According to research reported by the International Dyslexia Association, without implementation teams using clearly defined implementation methods, it takes 17 years to move about half of an intended new initiative into routine practice.

"The science of reading is not new, but translating it into daily classroom practice remains one of education's greatest challenges. Knowing, by itself, doesn't move the needle," said Laura Stewart, chief academic officer at 95 Percent Group. "The missing link is the sustained, systems-level, capacity-building professional learning that converts knowledge into practice and practice into measurable student outcomes, which is what 95 Principles to Practice provides."

95 Principles to Practice™—Literacy provides the structured support educators need after initial training. The toolkit includes facilitator training, PLC presentation materials, educator resources and leadership implementation support that empower districts to build sustainable communities of practice led by their own internal literacy experts.

The program is designed to:

• Bridge the gap between science of reading knowledge and classroom practice.
• Build internal literacy leadership capacity through facilitator-led professional learning communities.
• Support consistent, high-integrity instruction across classrooms.
• Protect districts' investments in science of reading professional learning through implementation monitoring and sustained application.

"Our goal is to help districts create systems that outlast any one initiative, one leader or one school year. When implementation becomes embedded in a district's culture, every educator — and ultimately every student — benefits," Stewart said.

About 95 Percent Group

95 Percent Group is an educational publishing and technology company whose mission is to build on science to empower teachers with the knowledge, resources and support they need to develop strong learners. The recent acquisitions of TouchMath and All About Learning Press (AALP) allow the company to serve a growing number of districts and schools, including the homeschool and small private school learning market, with trusted, proven foundational skills solutions for both literacy and math. 95 Percent Group is also committed to advancing research, best practices, and thought leadership on the science of reading, science of math, and science of learning more broadly. For more information, visit 95percentgroup.com.

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SOURCE 95 Percent Group