The Reading Comprehension Interest Group of the Global Reading Network has spent the last year discussing how to ensure children understand what they read. Group meetings focused on teaching reading comprehension strategies and a range of topics including language factors, materials development, social-emotional learning connections, and assessment, which demonstrate how complex it can be to help children read with understanding.

Reading, the bedrock of literacy, is the foundational skill necessary for all academic progress. Designing high-quality primary grade reading programs is essential to ensuring a pipeline of students who remain in school, achieve educational success, and contribute to economic growth.