Science of Reading and Implementation Science: What Charter School Leaders Need to Know

Charter school leaders need science of reading-based instruction that develops learners' literacy skills and advances student success. However, to maximize the impact of this instruction, leaders  must implement it in a way that bridges the gap between research and practice.

This guide, adapted from a keynote presentation from the 2026 Lexia® Science of Reading Leadership Summits, explores the concepts of implementation science. It offers practical guidance for achieving sustainable literacy gains across charter schools and networks, describing how leaders can:

• Lead with clarity

• Mobilize systems

• Sustain what works

• Champion opportunity

The summary offers guidance and next steps for focusing on literacy practices that achieve the greatest impact, as well as strategies for eliminating practices that no longer serve the organization’s goals. This emphasis on evidence-based practices helps leaders reinforce their literacy’ priorities.

Lexia works hand in hand with charter schools and organizations to advance science of reading concepts from vision to long-term practice. These partnerships help create equitable learning opportunities through the effective implementation of the science of reading methods.

This summary describes how Lexia supports lasting literacy success through:

• Clear implementation pathways

• Professional learning and coaching

• Leadership guidance

• Data insights

Download the summary now to:

• Discover the concepts of implementation science

• Examine approaches that make literacy initiatives stick

• Explore Lexia’s approach to supporting science of reading implementation