The University of Iowa

About Us

Teacher helping adolescent boy with writing task

At the Iowa Reading Research Center, we apply current research for the development and dissemination of best practices in literacy so that every child in Iowa will achieve reading proficiency.

The Iowa Reading Research Center

The purpose of the Iowa Reading Research Center is to improve the literacy proficiency of pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. To that end, the IRRC’s work is done in four main categories:

  1. Conducting research in practical settings to evaluate the effectiveness of literacy practices and the usefulness of assessments for guiding literacy instruction
  2. Facilitating professional learning for educators on literacy instructional strategies and related topics online through eLearning, and in-person at workshops and conferences. 
  3. Collaborating with local education agencies to provide technical assistance involving planning and implementation to address a specific literacy issue.
  4. Offering family resources to help family members and caregivers take an active role in their children’s literacy skill development; assisting families affected by a reading disability through assistive technology consultation and eLearning.

All efforts of the Iowa Reading Research Center are conducted in collaboration with educators, parents, community representatives, and policy makers. Results have a direct application to literacy policy and education in Iowa.

The Iowa Reading Research Center is part of the University of Iowa College of Education. It operates in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education.