Iowa Reading Research Center

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@IAReading

Student Reading Success Through Research and Collaboration. Research, resources, and information for educators and families.

University of Iowa irrc.education.uiowa.edu Joined June 2013

1.1K Following 4.5K Followers 6.9K Posts

Latest posts 5

Iowa Reading Research Center @IAReading 3d

Understanding and recognizing learning disabilities is the first step to ensuring a supportive learning environment for all students. Access these free resources and more on the IRRC’s Learning Disability Hub: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/lear…

Free Resources for Understanding and Recognizing Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia Overview eLearning module
A one-hour introduction to dyslexia, covering:
Myths and misinformation
Neurobiological factors
Characteristics associated with dyslexia
Features of instruction

More Than Messy Handwriting: What Dysgraphia Is and How It Appears Across Grades

Dysgraphia has been broadly defined as “a disorder of writing ability at any stage, including problems with letter formation/legibility, letter spacing, spelling, fine motor coordination, rate of writing, grammar, and composition” (Chung et al., 2020, p. S46). Dysgraphia can be categorized as developmental, meaning it is considered a neurological disorder that is generally identified during childhood, or acquired, meaning...

Advocating for Your Student
eLearning module
What do I do if I think my child has a learning disability?
A module intended for caregivers that includes communication resources, steps for creating a plan to support your child’s learning, and more.

Iowa Reading Research Center @IAReading 4d

What would you like to see next from the IRRC? We are seeking feedback from practitioners, caregivers, and our partners to guide our future planning priorities. Fill out this survey by 12/1 to share your suggestions and feedback: uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eL…

Iowa Reading Research Center
Share Your Ideas!
Help us plan future projects and priorities by sharing your suggestions and feedback
We are seeking feedback from practitioners, caregivers, and our partners to guide our future planning priorities. Fill out our survey by December 1, 2026!

IRRC Assistant Director Leah Zimmermann chats with 2026 Iowa Science of Reading Summit attendees.

IRRC Communications Coordinator Olivia Tonelli chats with an attendee of the Iowa State Fair about IRRC resources.

Iowa Reading Research Center @IAReading 5d

Student reading outcomes can improve when evidence-based practices are implemented with fidelity. What procedures, practices, and perceptions do Iowa practitioners have around implementation fidelity? Read about the IRRC’s latest survey addressing these questions: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/sites/irrc.edu…

Research Report
A Survey of K-12 Iowa School Practitioners on Implementation Fidelity Practices
Research shows that implementing evidence-based practices with fidelity is associated with improved students outcomes in reading.
Accordingly, monitoring implementation fidelity is essential for understanding the extent to which practices are implemented as intended in school settings.
As schools across Iowa seek to align literacy instruction with evidence-based practices, the Iowa Reading Research Center conducted a survey on the procedures, practices, and perceptions around implementation fidelity in Iowa schools.

Key Findings
Approximately 57.0% of Iowa practitioners who completed the survey reported implementation is monitored externally at least sometimes.

Survey participants most often identified: (a) instructional coaches and principals as individuals responsible for monitoring implementation fidelity, (b) adherence to instructional components and student engagement as priorities during fidelity checks, (c) direct observation as a method for monitoring fidelity, and (d) time needed to visit classrooms to collect a representative sample was the most common barrier.

On average, respondents affirmed use of 7.2 of the 13 fidelity monitoring practices (SD = 3.47) included on the Implementation Fidelity Practices Index.

Item 1: Training is provided on implementing instruction or intervention with fidelity.
Item 2: Fidelity data are collected as part of regular practice.
Item 3: Fidelity data are collected on a clearly defined schedule or frequency.
Item 4: Teachers are informed of fidelity criteria before a fidelity check.
Item 5: Teachers are provided coaching, PD, or other resources to support implementation fidelity.
Item 6: Observers use a rubric or checklist to monitor teachers’ delivery of a program or practice.
Item 7: Teachers are involved in developing fidelity rubrics or checklists.
Item 8: Teachers can view the fidelity rubric or checklist before an observation.
Item 9: Teachers receive or discuss feedback about implementation fidelity after a fidelity check.
Item 10: Teachers are provided with both quantitative and qualitative feedback af

Overall, respondents held generally positive perceptions of implementation fidelity monitoring, with about two-thirds endorsing its importance and instructional value.

Item 1: It is important that teachers implement a program or practice the way it is described in a manual or during training.
Item 2: Adherence to a program or practice restricts teachers' flexibility to tailor instruction to meet students needs.
Item 3: Fidelity monitoring is a tool to improve student learning.
Item 4: Fidelity monitoring is not necessary.
Item 5: Fidelity monitoring affects school culture negatively.
Item 6: In my school setting, there is a collaborative and positive culture around fidelity monitoring.
Item 7: Essential components of programs or practices have not been defined clearly enough to justify fidelity monitoring.
Item 8: Fidelity monitoring is an essential practice for improving reading/ELA instruction.

Iowa Reading Research Center @IAReading 6d

We are looking for presenters for the 2027 Iowa Science of Reading Summit! Do you have expertise to share regarding elementary or secondary strategies, writing, learning disabilities, data-based decision-making, or leadership and admin? Submit a presentation proposal by January 8! irrc.education.uiowa.edu/iowa-science-r…

Iowa Science of Reading Summit
Call for presentations!
Submit your proposal by January 8

Attendees at the 2026 Iowa Science of Reading Summit sit around a roundtable presentation.

Attendees at the 2026 Iowa Science of Reading Summit sit at tables. One attendee asks a question.

Attendees at the 2026 Iowa Science of Reading Summit sit at tables, talking and laughing.

Iowa Reading Research Center @IAReading Oct 30

Friday Reads Recommendation! “I Must Betray You” by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction set in the midst of the 1989 Romanian Revolution. After reading, your students might be inspired to write their own story! Get them started with the IRRC’s free writing prompts: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/irrc…

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