The Most Underutilized Resource in Literacy? Parents

(NAPSI)—Reading can be one of the most difficult things that students learn to do, and it takes more than just amazing teachers and classroom-only solutions to make proficient readers. According to a recent national survey, 52% of teachers say most students make literacy gains when parents are involved. However, most of our schools’ literacy movement is missing the most important partner—families. 

The Problem

Lexia’s 2025 Back to School Teacher survey also revealed that only 9% of teachers have found that parents are highly involved in supporting their child’s literacy activities and 62% want better tools to guide families. In addition, 34% of teachers noted in the survey that they don’t receive as much support as they would like from their school to engage parents. 

Not The Parents’ Fault

Currently, we’re leaving parents on the sidelines of our nation’s reading crisis, however. There are many reasons for this:

1. Knowledge Gap—66% of teachers say parents don’t know how to help. What’s more, most national literacy reform conversations focus on curriculum, teacher training, and testing—not family engagement. These reading reform efforts that exclude parents are missing half the equation.

2. Time and Access Barriers—Work schedules, language differences, and sometimes parents’ own literacy challenges.

3. Resource Gap—46% say families lack books and reading tools at home.

4. Support Gap—Only 10% of teachers say they have comprehensive family literacy programs. 

Schools are implementing science of reading in classrooms, but only 15% of teachers send structured, science of reading-aligned activities home. Science of reading provides proven, evidence-based best practices for teaching reading and supporting students of all abilities. With evidence-based instruction, students and teachers do not waste time on unproven practices. The survey also noted that teachers would really like in-person workshops explaining science of reading basics to parents.

Who Can Help

Earlier approaches to reading instruction, such as whole language and balanced literacy, did not consistently provide the phonics foundation students needed for strong literacy growth. Today, a growing number of schools are embracing the science of reading—a body of research built over decades across education, neuroscience, and psychology. With Lexia’s evidence-based tools and training, educators are implementing Structured Literacy successfully, giving students the skills and support they need to thrive.

Lexia strengthens the school-home connection by giving educators accessible tools and data-driven insights grounded in the science of reading. These resources help teachers have clear, personalized conversations with families, encouraging parents to take an active role in their child’s learning.

When educators receive actionable, relevant information, communication evolves from routine updates into meaningful, two-way dialogue. Grounded in a common understanding of the science of reading, this partnership between schools and families creates a united front—harnessing the untapped potential of parents as vital partners in student success.

Educators point to five priorities for advancing literacy:

• Train parents and teachers together in the fundamentals of the science of reading.

• Provide accessible, multilingual resources for use at home.

• Invest in family literacy programs within school budgets.

• Give teachers the time and support to build strong parent partnerships.

These actions create the conditions for student success. When learners feel capable and see schoolwork as meaningful, they become more motivated. Science of reading-aligned solutions make this possible by translating research into classroom practice—personalizing instruction and enabling teachers to target skills with precision.

Learn More

For further facts and to see the survey, visit www.lexialearning.com.

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 "Schools should take advantage of the most underused resource in education: actively involved parents."