Adolescent Literacy

The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KUCRL) has developed comprehensive, evidence‑based reading programs that empower adolescent learners and strengthen literacy outcomes. Our approach is grounded in practices that boost student motivation and engage both students and teachers in clear, explicit instructional routines. Designed to help learners meet their goals, KUCRL’s adolescent reading programs teach the strategies, habits, and cognitive tools students need to succeed as future‑ready thinkers. Each program features a carefully sequenced instructional design supported by progress monitoring, clear student selection criteria, and meaningful teacher feedback—hallmarks of the KUCRL approach. Because we know every minute of instruction matters, our materials are intentionally structured to maximize learning and accelerate growth.

The Strategic Instruction Model (SIM™) includes more than 50 evidence‑based Learning Strategies designed to help students overcome the specific learning challenges that hinder literacy—whether they are decoding words, organizing assignments, or crafting well‑structured essays. SIM Learning Strategies equip students with practical, transferable tools to understand content, think critically, and solve problems. Without effective strategies, many learners remain passive and struggle to meet academic expectations. SIM instruction changes that trajectory by explicitly teaching students how to become active, intentional learners who can take control of their own success.

The Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) Content Literacy Continuum (CLC) focuses on helping secondary schools develop and sustain comprehensive and integrated literacy programs. This school improvement process is led by a SIM Implementation Team with extensive experience in secondary literacy. The team works with administrators, teachers, and staff to develop and implement a standards-based plan to improve literacy and content area learning tied to student performance on state assessments. SIM consists of a variety of research-based interventions. Some of these interventions focus on helping teachers think about, adapt, and present critical content in a “learner-friendly” fashion. Some interventions focus on helping students learn the skills and strategies students need to learn content.