The Science We Know, The Change We Still Need: A Conversation with Louisa Moats
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Louisa Moats, one of the leading voices in reading research and literacy education, to talk about her journey from feeling completely unprepared to teach students with reading difficulties to becoming a lifelong advocate for science-based reading instruction.
Dr. Moats shares the experiences that shaped her work—from her early years as a teacher and psychologist to her doctoral research, work with leading reading researchers, and the development of LETRS Professional Development. We talk about what we already know about how children learn to read, why that knowledge still hasn't consistently made its way into teacher preparation and classrooms, and what it will take to move education toward becoming a true profession driven by science.
We also get practical as Louisa shares what she would look for if she walked into a primary classroom tomorrow, why spelling deserves far more attention, and the advice she would give to teachers entering the profession for the first time.
In this episode, we talk about:
Dr. Moats' journey from teacher and psychologist to one of the leading voices in science-based reading instruction
The experience that first made her realize how little was actually known about teaching students with reading difficulties
How studying language and linguistics changed the way she understood reading instruction
How her work with reading researchers helped shape her understanding of what we now call the Science of Reading
Why there is still a disconnect between what research tells us and what many teachers are taught in teacher preparation programs
Why Dr. Moats believes we need greater accountability across the entire education system, not simply more responsibility placed on individual teachers
The importance of teachers having the courage to speak up when practices don't align with the research
Why foundational skills and authentic reading experiences both need to have a visible place in the classroom
The importance of systematic foundational skills instruction, including phonics, letter formation, spelling, and writing
The researcher she believes educators should know more about and her work on orthographic mapping
Why spelling may be one of the most underrated instructional practices in literacy
Her advice for teachers: trust the research, find reliable sources, speak up, and celebrate your successes
Why Spelling Matters More Than We Think
One of the most interesting takeaways from our conversation was Dr. Moats' answer to the question: What is the most underrated instructional practice?
Her answer? Teaching spelling.
When we teach students to spell words well, we're giving them an opportunity to learn about the structure of language. That knowledge doesn't stay isolated to spelling—it can transfer to reading, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Spelling is more than putting letters on paper. It's another powerful pathway for building students' knowledge of how written language works.
The Big Takeaway
Dr. Moats' message throughout this conversation is both encouraging and challenging: We know a lot about how children learn to read.
The research base is there. The knowledge is there. And teachers want to do what is best for their students. The work now is making sure that knowledge consistently reaches teacher preparation programs, schools, instructional leaders, and classrooms.
But teachers aren't powerless in that process. Find reliable sources. Learn the research. Surround yourself with people who are doing the work well. Speak up when you see practices that aren't aligned with what we know. And, perhaps most importantly, celebrate the small successes along the way.
As Dr. Moats reminds us, the goal isn't simply better reading instruction. It's building an education system that is truly driven by science and committed to making sure no child falls through the cracks.
Connect with Dr. Louisa Moats:
Learn more about Dr. Moats' work and resources through her website and professional work in reading instruction.
The book mentioned for teachers who want to better understand the research base on learning disabilities: Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention
Website: https://louisamoats.com
Her Book: Speech to Print Book
LETRS
Want More?
Explore more Science of Reading PD, decodables, small-group planning tools, coaching sessions, and literacy resources at Route2Reading inside the Literacy Edventures Membership.
