Unlocking Literacy: The Science (and Urgency) of Getting Kids Reading Again
- Dr. Rhonda Alexander
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
You don’t need to be a teacher to understand this: reading is the magic key that unlocks everything. But not every child gets that key—unless we give it to them.
What Is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading isn’t a fad or a catchy slogan—it’s a massive, interdisciplinary body of research that answers one critical question: How do humans learn to read—and how can we teach it effectively?
Decades of studies across neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, and education tell us that effective literacy instruction must build:

Phonological and phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds)
Systematic phonics and decoding (connecting sounds to letters)
Fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension (understanding what’s read)
In short: Decoding words × understanding language = reading comprehension. Kids need both pieces, or they can’t truly read.
The Right to Read Documentary: Why It Moved Us
The Right to Read shines a light on how too many students across the country are being left behind with outdated or ineffective methods. The film makes it clear: without a research-backed approach, we're holding children back, not helping them.
When Frances Knight Thompson, our Board Vice Chair and COO, saw this film, it wasn’t just compelling. It was a wake-up call for her. As an educator with over 30 years of experience — and after working with middle and high school students who couldn’t read at all — she knew something had to change. Inspired by the documentary, Frances led the launch of ChainBreakers’ Reading Enrichment Program.
From Inspiration to Action
We built our program using the Science of Reading—from structured phonics to small-group strategies that really work. Students receive 10 hours of focused literacy support, while parents attend workshops and commit to daily reading routines at home. It’s a proven recipe for accelerating progress, boosting confidence, and reigniting the joy of reading.
Why It Matters—and Why Now
Literacy isn’t just academic. It’s a civic, social, and economic requirement. With reading scores on the decline nationally—including sharper drops in vulnerable student groups since 2013—the need is urgent.
Children who don’t master reading early face lifelong disadvantages. But children who get phonics-based, evidence-informed support experience a transformation: they begin to read. And when they do, they're unstoppable.
A Call to Action
If you believe that every child deserves the tools to thrive, if you’re tired of excuses and ready for results, join us.
Educators: Use research-based instruction and advocate for literacy reform.
Families: Be part of the solution by engaging in reading routines.
Funders & Volunteers: Power programs that give children the fair shot they deserve.
Because literacy is more than letters on a page. It instills self-confidence, opens the doors of opportunity, and prov
ides freedom in multiple areas. Let’s give Portsmouth's kids their books, their voices, and their futures. Let’s invest in reading, so they can write their own stories.
Want to be part of Portsmouth’s reading revolution?
Learn more about ChainBreakers, Inc., support our mission with a donation, or reach out to discover how you can get involved. Together, we can unlock a brighter future for Portsmouth's kids!
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