Step-by-Step Guide to ReadWorks

ReadWorks is a free, nonprofit edtech platform that gives K-12 teachers access to thousands of reading passages, comprehension tools, and student progress tracking — all at no cost.

Quick answer for educators:

America has a reading problem. Nearly two-thirds of 4th graders across the country can't read and understand at their grade level. For kids in low-income households, that number jumps to 78%.

That gap doesn't close on its own.

ReadWorks was built to help close it. The platform gives teachers a library of more than 6,000 articles and resources, grounded in cognitive science, and designed to work in real classrooms — including under-resourced ones.

It now reaches more than 13.5 million students and teachers every year. And it costs teachers nothing.

Readworks vocabulary:

At the heart of readworks is a commitment to the science of reading ReadWorks is built on thescience of readingto ensure students can steadily expand their background knowledge, vocabularies, and reading comprehension—helping them become the confident readers they deserve to be.. We know that reading isn't just about sounding out words; it’s about understanding the world. To achieve this, the platform focuses on three core instructional pillars:

The mission of readworks is rooted in equity. As a nonprofit, its primary goal is to provide high-quality reading instruction tools to every district, school, and student, with a specific focus on under-resourced and low-income communities. In Los Angeles County, from the classrooms of Downtown L.A. to the schools in Santa Monica and Venice, access to quality literacy tools can be a game-changer.

With 65% of 4th graders nationwide failing to reach proficiency—and that number hitting 78% for low-income students—readworks acts as a bridge. It equalizes access to the kind of transformative instruction that was once only available in well-funded private institutions.

Does it actually work? The data says yes. During a pilot study in the 2015-16 school year involving low-income schools, the results were staggering. After implementing the "Article-A-Day" routine, the number of students reading at or above grade level jumped from 110 to 272—a 148% increase.

Furthermore, 90% of teachers who use the platform report that it has directly improved their teaching practice. When students engage with these materials daily, 91% of teachers observe a noticeable increase in background knowledge and reading stamina. It turns the "chore" of reading into a successful, joyful habit.

The readworks library is a treasure trove for educators. With over 6,000 articles and resources, it covers almost every subject imaginable. Whether you are looking for a deep dive into the A Los Angeles Land Boom... and Bust or a sci-fi adventure, the platform has it.

The library includes:

Finding the right content is easy thanks to a robust SEARCH the content library tool. You can filter by grade level (K-12), Lexile level, or topic.

For younger learners in Hollywood or Silverlake, the K-2 decodables provide the perfect starting point. For older students, the Spanish - English Paired Texts are invaluable for bilingual classrooms, allowing students to bridge their primary language with English literacy. Additionally, Book Studies offer deep dives into popular novels, aligning with common core and NGSS science standards.

We believe every student deserves to be a confident reader. Readworks offers specialized tools to support English Language Learners (ELL) and students in Special Education (SPED) programs:

Getting started is a breeze. Teachers can Sign-Up for your free account and immediately begin creating classes. Once your class is set up, you can search for content and click "Assign" to send it directly to your students' devices.

In today's tech-heavy environment, readworks plays well with others. You can Log In With Clever orSign in with GoogleLog In With CleverDon't have an account yet?Sign Up. to sync your rosters instantly.

Key digital features include:

To get the most out of the platform, we recommend these strategies:

The scale of readworks is truly impressive. Reaching 13.5 million users annually, it is one of the most widely used edtech tools in the country. From a technical standpoint, the site is hosted by Amazon.com, Inc., ensuring high uptime and performance during the busy school day.

What makes readworks unique is its nonprofit model. While other platforms charge thousands of dollars in licensing fees, readworks provides an entire year's worth of content for a cost of just $1.58 per teacher or 9 cents per student. This is made possible through the generous support of donors and partners. For schools in Malibu or Culver City looking to stretch their budgets, this provides world-class resources without the price tag.

Student safety is a top priority. The website uses SSL security (Amazon-issued) to protect data. It is confirmed safe by Norton, Google Safe Browsing, and McAfee. While the mobile PageSpeed metrics show some room for improvement (scoring 41/100), the site is fully responsive, meaning students can access their assignments on tablets, laptops, or even smartphones.

Readworks is primarily designed for K-12 teachers and their students. However, it is also a fantastic resource for Parents TeachersParentsSchool AdministratorsPartners who want to support their children's reading at home, as well as School Administrators TeachersParentsSchool AdministratorsPartners looking for district-wide literacy solutions.

Through the teacher dashboard, educators can see which students have completed assignments, their scores on question sets, and even specific areas where a student might be struggling (like identifying the main idea or vocabulary).

Yes! You can find Article-A-Day Topical Scope and Sequence and alignments for NGSS and various state standards directly on the site. This ensures that the time students spend reading is directly contributing to their academic requirements.

At Edible LA, we believe that stories matter—whether they are the stories of our local farmers in Glassell Park or the adventures found within the pages of a book. Literacy is the foundation upon which all other learning is built. By using readworks, teachers and parents across Los Angeles can ensure that every child has the tools they need to read with "understanding, purpose, and confidence."

The platform's commitment to equity and science-backed instruction makes it an essential tool for our community. We encourage all educators to Sign Up Today!Get FREE, science-backed content, tools, and resourcesSign UpSubscribe to our newsletterLearn more about district programs and start building a brighter, more literate future for our students.

And while you're focused on nourishing the mind, don't forget to nourish the body with local, seasonal ingredients. Download the Seasonal Produce Guide to see what's fresh in L.A. County this month!