Grounded in the
Science of Reading
Owlit isn't guesswork. Every coaching decision is backed by decades of peer-reviewed literacy research. Here's the evidence behind our approach.
Science of Reading foundations
Cognitive science has identified five essential components of reading instruction. Here's how Owlit supports each one.
Phonemic Awareness
Understanding that words are made of individual sounds (phonemes) that can be manipulated.
How Owlit Helps
When a child struggles, Owlit prompts them to identify individual sounds: 'What sound does the letter P make?'
Research Basis
National Reading Panel (2000)
Phonics
The relationship between letters and sounds, and how to decode words systematically.
How Owlit Helps
Owlit breaks difficult words into decodable parts: 'Let's break this into two parts: THROUGH becomes THRO + UGH.'
Research Basis
Ehri et al. (2001)
Fluency
Reading with accuracy, speed, and proper expression—the bridge between decoding and comprehension.
How Owlit Helps
Owlit tracks pace and prosody, encouraging re-reading of sentences for smoothness: 'Great! Now read that sentence one more time, nice and smooth.'
Research Basis
Kuhn & Stahl (2003)
Vocabulary
Understanding word meanings in context, essential for comprehension.
How Owlit Helps
For advanced readers, Owlit can pause to explain unfamiliar words in child-friendly language.
Research Basis
Beck, McKeown & Kucan (2013)
Comprehension
The ultimate goal—understanding and making meaning from text.
How Owlit Helps
Owlit's fluency coaching frees up cognitive resources for comprehension. Optional check-ins ask: 'What just happened in the story?'
Research Basis
Duke & Pearson (2002)
How Owlit coaches
Our coaching approach is built on proven learning science principles.
Wait Time
Research shows children need 3-5 seconds to self-correct. Owlit waits before intervening, building problem-solving skills.
Citation: Rowe (1986)
Targeted Feedback
Specific, immediate feedback is more effective than general praise. Owlit names exactly what the child did well.
Citation: Hattie & Timperley (2007)
Gradual Release
As skills strengthen, Owlit automatically reduces scaffolding—building independence, not dependence.
Citation: Fisher & Frey (2014)
Growth Mindset
Owlit's language emphasizes effort and strategy over innate ability: 'You worked hard on that word!'
Citation: Dweck (2006)
Low Anxiety
Stress impairs learning. Owlit's calm, non-judgmental tone keeps the affective filter low.
Citation: Krashen (1982)
Distributed Practice
Short, frequent sessions beat long, infrequent ones. Owlit encourages 15-minute daily habits.
Citation: Cepeda et al. (2006)
Speaking your language
Owlit reports translate to frameworks parents and teachers already know.
Lexile
BR (Beginning Reader) to 2000L+
Industry-standard measure of text complexity and reader ability
Owlit Integration
Owlit tracks fluency metrics that correlate with Lexile growth
Fountas & Pinnell
A through Z (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
Guided reading levels used in most US elementary schools
Owlit Integration
Progress reports map to familiar F&P levels for easy parent-teacher communication
DRA
A, 1-80
Developmental Reading Assessment levels
Owlit Integration
Compatible with school assessment data for holistic tracking
Research alignment
We work with leading literacy organizations to ensure our approach meets the highest standards.
Research Partner
University Reading Lab
Ongoing studies on AI-assisted reading intervention effectiveness
Aligned With
International Literacy Association
Our methodology follows ILA's evidence-based literacy instruction standards
Science of Reading Aligned
Reading League
Committed to structured literacy principles backed by cognitive science
Evidence-based reading support
Join thousands of families using research-backed methods to help their children read.