Strengthening family engagement to support the science of reading

Key points:

While most teachers are eager to implement the science of reading, many lack the time and tools to connect these practices to home-based support, according to a new national survey from Lexia, a Cambium Learning Group brand.

The 2025 Back-to-School Teacher Survey, with input from more than 1,500 K–12 educators nationwide, points to an opportunity for district leaders to work in concert with teachers to provide families with the science of reading-based literacy resources they need to support student reading success.

Key insights from the survey include:

• 60 percent of teachers are either fully trained or interested in learning more about the science of reading
• Only 15 percent currently provide parents with structured, evidence-based literacy activities
• 79 percent of teachers cite time constraints and parents’ work schedules as top barriers to family engagement
• Just 10 percent report that their schools offer comprehensive family literacy programs
• Teachers overwhelmingly want in-person workshops and video tutorials to help parents support reading at home

“Teachers know that parental involvement can accelerate literacy and they’re eager for ways to strengthen those connections,” said Lexia President Nick Gaehde. “This data highlights how districts can continue to build on momentum in this new school year by offering scalable, multilingual, and flexible family engagement strategies that align with the science of reading.”

Teachers also called for:

• Better technology tools for consistent school-to-home communication
• Greater multilingual support to serve diverse communities
• Professional learning that includes family engagement training

Gaehde concluded, “Lexia’s survey reflects the continued national emphasis on Structured Literacy and shows that equipping families is essential to driving lasting student outcomes. At Lexia we’re committed to partnering with districts and teachers to strengthen the school-to-home connection. By giving educators practical tools and data-driven insights, we help teachers and families work together–ensuring every child has the literacy support they need to thrive.”

The complete findings are available in a new report, From Classroom to Living Room: Exploring Parental Involvement in K–12 Literacy. District leaders can also download the accompanying infographic, “What District Leaders Need To Know: 5 Key Findings About Family Engagement and Literacy,” which highlights the most pressing data points and strategic opportunities for improving school-to-home literacy connections.