Foundations A‑Z Evaluation by The Reading League
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Foundations A‑Z®, a K-5 foundational literacy solution available in Raz-Plus® was reviewed by The Reading League to help educators navigate Science of Reading curriculum information. This evaluation, featured on the Curriculum Decision Makers page of The Reading League Compass, provides educators and district leaders with transparency into how Foundations A‑Z aligns with evidence‑based practices of foundational literacy instruction — an important consideration as schools and districts continue to prioritize research‑informed reading instruction.
Highlights from The Reading League’s review of Foundations A‑Z
The Reading League’s review identified several strengths of Foundations A‑Z, including alignment with evidence‑based practices, instructional coherence, and the quality and range of its texts.
Alignment with evidence‑based practices
Reviewers recognized Foundations A‑Z teacher scripts for their “clear, explicit language” aligned with the Science of Reading. The review also highlighted the overall “strong support for new teachers or those who are new to Science‑of‑Reading‑aligned instruction.”
Consistent, purposeful instructional routines
Instructional routines were identified as a strength, with reviewers noting how the routines build coherently on prior learning from earlier grades. This coherence allows students “to use [the routines] with confidence and ease” as instruction progresses across grade levels.
Rich, wide‑ranging, high‑quality texts
Reviewers commended the breadth of the text collection, which includes both fiction and nonfiction genres, that “exposes students to a wide range of topics.” As a result, students have “frequent opportunities to practice fluent reading” through engagement with these texts.
What The Reading League’s review means for educators
The Reading League is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing evidence‑based reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. Its curriculum reviews help educators better understand how instructional materials align to research on how students learn to read.
With state and federal policy increasingly reinforcing Science of Reading–aligned instruction, independent reviews like The Reading League’s offer timely, third‑party context to support curriculum evaluation and planning.
Is Foundations A‑Z a Science of Reading–aligned curriculum?
Foundations A‑Z was built entirely on the Science of Reading and designed to support foundational literacy instruction, including explicit and systematic instruction in early reading skills. The Reading League’s review provides an independent perspective on how the solution’s components align with research‑based expectations for early literacy instruction.
How Foundations A‑Z supports foundational literacy instruction
Foundations A‑Z provides resources to support systematic instruction in foundational skills, including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, print concepts, and fluency — all critical for early reading development. Its digital‑first design integrates instructional guidance and resources directly into teachers’ workflows, supporting consistent, research‑informed implementation in K-5 classrooms. This focus positions Foundations A‑Z as a Science of Reading-aligned curriculum option for schools seeking aligned foundational literacy support.
What this review means for teachers who use Raz‑Plus
Foundations A‑Z is included with Raz‑Plus, giving teachers full access to foundational skills instruction that aligns with both independent review and emerging state and federal expectations tied to literacy funding.
This integration allows teachers to pair reviewed foundational skills instruction with the broader instructional resources available in Raz‑Plus, supporting cohesive literacy instruction without requiring separate tools or platforms.
Supporting informed decisions around Science of Reading-aligned curricula
As schools and districts evaluate Science of Reading-aligned literacy programs, independent reviews like those from The Reading League serve as helpful reference points.
The Curriculum Navigation Reports are designed to support informed decision‑making, transparency, and professional dialogue — empowering educators to understand how instructional materials align with research‑based expectations for reading instruction.