Amid Rising Screen-time Mandates, ReadWorks Keeps High-quality Instruction at the Center with Flexible Print Reading Resources

5/27/2026

With state lawmakers and parents pushing back against classroom technology use, the national reading nonprofit reaffirms its steadfast pledge to support teachers with multi-format resources.

In response to growing scrutiny of classroom technology, ReadWorks is underscoring its educator-first approach with flexible, evidence-based resources designed to support, not replace, teacher-led instruction

Recent reporting from EdSurge (“Screen Time Concerns Lead to Backlash Against Edtech Vetting Process”), highlights rising concerns among parents, teachers, and lawmakers about the unchecked proliferation of student-facing digital devices. Several states are now introducing rigorous vetting standards and screen-time bans in early elementary grades to combat digital distraction and privacy concerns.

Amid growing concerns around classroom screen time, ReadWorks continues to prioritize teacher-led instruction with flexible, evidence-based resources that can be used in print or digitally. Our platform is designed to make high-quality reading instruction accessible and manageable for educators, not to replace them or require student-facing technology. That’s why teachers have always had the ability to print and deliver resources in the way that works best for their classrooms.

“Our mission as a nonprofit has always been to build products that are easy to incorporate into the curriculum that is already being taught in the classroom, engaging for students, and highly impactful for teachers.,” said Dr. Susanne Nobles, Chief Academic Officer of ReadWorks. “We have never created tech for student-facing multimedia engagement. We believe in providing both high-quality print and digital capabilities, leaving the choice of delivery entirely in the hands of the educator.”

This teacher-first approach is reflected in a nationwide demand in educators for tangible, printed reading materials. Over this school year alone, more than 419,000 educators have actively utilized ReadWorks’ print capabilities to deliver high-quality physical texts that build essential background knowledge and vocabulary. As a nonprofit dedicated to equitable access, these offerings are all free of charge!

A Principled Stance on Artificial Intelligence
As the educational technology industry rushes to implement student-facing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that introduce additional screen time and unvetted algorithmic risks, ReadWorks has made a deliberate, mission-driven decision to not prioritize AI tools for student use. Instead, the nonprofit currently only uses AI internally as a backend productivity tool to help accelerate and streamline our work.

Proven Impact, Trusted by Millions
ReadWorks continues to prove that exceptional, evidence-based instruction does not require flashy tech stacks or gamified distractions. The nonprofit’s success is anchored by core proof points that drive measurable student impact:

Free and Accessible Every Day: ReadWorks provides more than 11,000 instructional resources spanning ELA, science, social studies, and the arts. ReadWorks is used by over 250,000 educators each month, including nearly 50,000 teachers in under-resourced communities.
Deep Teacher Trust: Educators choose ReadWorks week after week because it works. Educators across the country use ReadWorks consistently, including curriculum alignments and Scope & Sequence units grounded in reading comprehension research.
Supporting Teacher Growth: ReadWorks professional learning helps teachers strengthen evidence-based reading instruction, with 91% reporting plans to increase their focus on building background knowledge and vocabulary. This change in teacher practice is especially important as recent reporting from The 74 found that nearly one-third of teachers still use discredited reading methods, often because schools and districts are still working to translate research into classroom practice over time.
Rigorous, Proven Results: Studies show students using ReadWorks make stronger gains in background knowledge and vocabulary, key drivers of reading comprehension. Nine out of ten teachers say ReadWorks helps build these essential skills.
Confidence and Engagement: More than 4 out of 5 teachers report that ReadWorks helps students become more engaged, confident readers. In a controlled study, students using ReadWorks showed measurable increases in reading engagement in just nine weeks.

As schools and districts navigate a complex turning point regarding digital literacy and software regulation, ReadWorks remains a steady partner to teachers and parents alike. By offering rigorous, print- or digital-ready, curriculum-aligned materials, ReadWorks ensures that the future of reading instruction remains focused on what truly matters: the meaningful connection between a teacher, a student, and text.