Why literacy fails — and how schools can overcome it

Last year, the brilliant Alex Quigley, author of Closing the Reading Gap and Closing the Writing Gap, brought critical attention to why literacy strategies frequently fail to deliver meaningful improvement in schools. His analysis revealed systemic issues that resonate deeply with educators facing daily challenges in their classrooms.

At the heart of the problem lies a sobering reality: schools alone cannot entirely overcome the profound societal disadvantages that create vocabulary gaps as large as 30 million words by age three. This early disadvantage sets many learners on an uneven playing field before formal education even begins. Quigley's critique extends to the assessment tools available to educators, noting how generic reading-age scores fail to provide the nuanced, actionable data teachers need to tailor effective interventions.

The challenges compound further through an overcrowded curriculum that leaves little room for dedicated literacy instruction, insufficient teacher training in critical literacy domains, and a lack of ongoing professional development opportunities. These systemic issues create a perfect storm where well-intentioned literacy initiatives often fall short of their potential impact.

We see this every day, and it’s a privilege to work with schools to help them navigate these complex issues.

Quigley identifies several key reasons why literacy programs frequently underperform:

The limits of school influence

While schools play a crucial role, they cannot single-handedly compensate for the vocabulary gaps created by socioeconomic disparities in early childhood.

Inadequate assessment tools

Current literacy assessments often provide superficial data that fails to guide targeted teaching strategies effectively.

Knowledge gaps in key areas

Many educators lack deep understanding of critical issues like dyslexia and the science of reading, limiting their ability to implement evidence-based practices.

Curriculum overload

The pressure to cover extensive content leaves insufficient time for the deliberate practice and reinforcement needed for literacy development.

Professional development shortcomings

Teacher training programs often provide inadequate preparation for literacy instruction, and ongoing PD opportunities are frequently limited.

Lack of specialist support

Schools often struggle to access the specialist expertise needed to address complex literacy challenges.

Leadership gaps

Without strong literacy leadership and a whole-school approach, initiatives remain fragmented and unsustainable.

Outdated practices

Many schools continue using familiar but ineffective programs due to institutional inertia.

Short-term thinking

The pressure for quick results often leads to superficial solutions rather than sustainable, research-backed approaches.

The scale of the challenge becomes even clearer when examining research findings. A comprehensive 2016 literature review by Herrera et al. at the Florida Center for Reading Research analyzed 7,144 adolescent literacy programs spanning two decades. Shockingly, only 12 demonstrated measurable impact on key literacy outcomes like reading comprehension and vocabulary. Perhaps most concerning, none of these successful programs were implemented at the secondary level—a stark reminder of how difficult it is to improve literacy outcomes for older students.

While the challenges are significant, research points to several "best bets"—approaches that consistently show positive results in improving literacy outcomes. Education expert Mary Myatt advocates focusing on these proven strategies rather than chasing quick fixes.

The most effective literacy programs share several common characteristics:

• Explicit instruction in reading comprehension strategies and vocabulary development
• Structured instructional routines that provide consistency and predictability
• Cooperative learning environments that encourage peer discussion and collaboration
• Targeted feedback and fluency-building activities
• Writing strategies that reinforce and deepen reading comprehension

Schools that successfully embed literacy across their curriculum demonstrate several key practices:

Whole-school commitment

Every teacher views themselves as a teacher of literacy, regardless of their subject specialism.

Structured language curriculum

A clear Tier 2 vocabulary curriculum provides the academic language foundation needed across all subjects.

Explicit vocabulary instruction

Educators receive training in how to teach vocabulary effectively, including morphological and syntactic patterns.

High expectations

Aspirational targets are set for all learners to develop rich, precise language skills that translate to success across the curriculum.

Transforming literacy outcomes across a school requires more than good intentions—it demands the right tools and strategies. Bedrock Learning provides an award-winning solution designed to address the very challenges Quigley identifies.

Research-Driven Vocabulary Instruction

Bedrock's intelligent platform teaches Tier 2 academic vocabulary through engaging, research-based methods; we’ve explored in more depth how our approach supports the EEF’s guidance on vocabulary instruction. The curriculum introduces words in context, reinforces them through varied practice, and uses spacing and retrieval techniques to promote long-term retention.

Subject-Specific Language Development

With over 30,000 Tier 3 vocabulary words across 38 subjects, Bedrock Mapper helps learners master the specialized language of each discipline. This comprehensive approach ensures students can communicate like experts in every subject area. More about the science that underpins Mapper can be found here.

Adaptive Technology

Bedrock's AI-powered system personalises instruction to each learner's level while remaining self-setting and self-marking—reducing teacher workload without sacrificing effectiveness.

Actionable Insights

Moving beyond generic reading ages, Bedrock provides granular data that helps educators identify specific gaps and measure genuine progress. Based on The Simple View of Reading, our groundbreaking reading test gives you clear insights into the blockers to your readers’ comprehension.

Whole-School Literacy Support

Bedrock Mapper empowers schools to create customised vocabulary curricula that align with their specific needs and priorities; we can then give you specific insights about progress and difficult concepts that your pupils are struggling with

Improving literacy outcomes requires more than isolated interventions - it demands a fundamental shift in how schools approach language development. The most successful schools:

• Make literacy everyone's responsibility, not just the English department's
• Invest in ongoing professional development that builds teachers' literacy expertise
• Use data intelligently to inform instruction and track progress
• Balance short-term gains with long-term vision, avoiding quick fixes in favour of sustainable strategies
• Leverage technology wisely to enhance (not replace) effective teaching

As Quigley rightly notes, transforming literacy outcomes is challenging work - but with the right strategies and tools, schools can make meaningful, lasting progress. Bedrock Learning stands ready to support educators in this vital mission, helping turn literacy from a persistent challenge into a demonstrable strength.

The journey begins with recognising why previous efforts have fallen short and committing to evidence-based approaches that address the root causes of literacy difficulties. By doing so, schools can create learning environments where all students develop the reading, writing, and vocabulary skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.