Phonics 101: Preparing Teachers to Provide Effective Intervention in Word Reading Skills

Students with learning disabilities in word-level reading typically require explicit, systematic, and intensive phonics intervention. Teachers’ capacity to provide effective intervention depends largely on their depth of understanding of language and their proficiency with evidence-based instructional methods. This article outlines the key knowledge and skills needed to implement effective phonics intervention and provides suggestions for methods that teacher educators can use to develop candidates’ knowledge and skills.