THE CHALLENGE
Equipping Schools to Tackle the Reading Crisis
Across the nation, student reading outcomes are falling short, with many students struggling to meet grade-level expectations. This literacy crisis places students at risk of missing essential skills they need for future success. Factors driving these outcomes include inadequate early literacy screening, gaps in specialized teacher training, and inconsistent implementation of science-based reading instruction.
School Leaders have a unique opportunity to address these challenges, equipping teachers with the tools and training necessary to improve literacy outcomes across their districts.
Lack of Early Screening
Hinders the provision of timely interventions, crucial for enabling students to flourish academically.
Science Based Literacy
Improved outcomes result when educators adopt strategies supported by research evidence.
Limited Teacher Training
Inconsistent training and methods lower national test scores, leaving educators discouraged.
The Nation's Report Card: 4th Grade Reading Scores
To fully grasp the scope of the problem, we turn to The Nation's Report Card , which offers hard data on how well students are mastering reading at a key developmental stage.
Where Does Your State Rank?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has provided an essential overview of student performance across the U.S., acting as a key indicator of educational progress. The NAEP assesses student abilities across different subjects and demographic groups, offering critical insights into long-term trends.Since 1992, NAEP data shows 4th-grade reading scores persistently below proficiency, with an average score of 217 in both 1992 and 2022—well below the proficiency benchmark of 240 and far from the advanced level of 280. This lack of progress is concerning, as 4th grade marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. The ongoing gap underscores the urgent need for science-based core instruction and interventions to help more students reach proficiency.
INTRODUCING
Code Emphasis Reading Strategies
This comprehensive training, featuring a 150-page book and video lessons, brings over 30 years of literacy expertise to educators. It provides essential insights into Science of Reading research from experts like Dr. David Kilpatrick on Phonological Awareness and Dr. Linnea Ehri's Phases of Reading. The second half focuses on proven, research-based strategies to support struggling readers, offering practical tools that deliver measurable results.
Emphasizing targeted drills and explicit instructional techniques, the training strengthens decoding and spelling skills, building a strong foundation for reading proficiency.
Beyond the strategies, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Science of Reading, exploring research-based approaches that are practical, effective, and classroom-ready.
Julia's passion for enhancing teacher pedagogy shines through every lesson, ensuring educators leave with a well-stocked toolbox of effective methods. With this program, students not only build critical reading skills—they embark on a path toward lasting academic success!
Video Course
This self-paced online video course guides participants step-by -step through proven reading strategies, with a certificate upon completion. An optional on-site kickoff with Julia Brennan sets a strong foundation for success.
Reading Strategies
The foundation of this course, this book simplifies the science of reading into clear, sequential lessons. Focused drills and decoding techniques, reinforced step by step, develop strong reading comprehension.
Sounds / Motions
This book pairs each sound with a simple motion, creating a multisensory learning experience. The consistent routine engages students while strengthening their ability to recognize and recall phonemes.
The Soundboard
Featuring all 44 English phonemes with the 26 letters, this color-coded tool helps students map sounds to grapheme combinations clearly. It supports explicit instruction and removes the guesswork from learning.
Inside the book
Code Emphasis Reading Strategies
Introducing
Julia Brennan
Educator • Author • Consultant
With over 30 years of experience as a reading literacy educator in Michigan, Julia has devoted her career to helping students become skilled readers. Her approach is shaped by personal classroom experience and insights from pioneers in literacy education. Julia is LETRS trained and holds a B.A. from John Carroll University, a B.A. in Education from Madonna University, and a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities from Wayne State University.
Her life's work is now captured in her course, Code Emphasis Reading Strategies: Teacher Toolkit for Explicit Word Decoding Instruction.
Endorsed by Educators
Trusted by School Districts
Code Emphasis Reading Strategies has received strong endorsements from educators, principals, and administrators for its practical and effective approach.
Schools value the clear research-based strategies that empower teachers to enhance student reading outcomes and effectively address the challenges faced by struggling readers.
"In Code Emphasis Reading Strategies, Julia distills her wealth of knowledge, expertise, and practical experience into an invaluable resource that offers an accessible and easy-to-digest guide, tailored for both parents and teachers."
-Michele Biggerstaff, M.A., CCC-SLP
""Julia provided a 4 day training to teachers who were hearing about the science of reading for the first time. She did a phenomenal job. The teachers were inspired and are seeing results!""
-- Christine Kress, Former Special Education Director, Lakeview Public Schools
In The News
Discover recent media features highlighting Julia Brennan and her groundbreaking literacy program, Code Emphasis Reading Strategies: Teacher Toolkit for Explicit Word Decoding Instruction, now helping teachers and students nationwide.
Featured In
SHOUTOUT MICHIGAN
Meet Julia Brennan | Science of Reading Advocate
April 10, 2025
We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Brennan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Julia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Read Full ArticleInside The Course
A Sample lesson plan from Code Emphasis Reading Strategies
Code Emphasis Reading Strategies: Teacher Toolkit for Explicit Word decoding Instruction simplifies the science of reading into easy-to-implement lessons for educators. Below is a video sample from a lesson plan, which follows a five-step, explicit, systematic multisensory approach based on Orton-Gillingham research and top researchers in the field.
Each lesson is designed to explicitly teach:
- The 44 phonemes with real and nonsense words
- Phonics concepts with clear, sequential progression
- Spelling practice with explicit instruction in spelling single and multisyllabic words
- Reading from decodable text based on The Research of Ehri's 5 Phases of Reading to reinforce the new skill and provide practice with previously taught skills
These engaging lessons are not only motivating for students but also ready for immediate classroom use. Participants receive a 150-page manual and access to The Soundboard tool, equipping them to implement strategies with confidence. For those seeking additional support, an optional personal introduction with Julie—either online or on-site—is available, offering deeper insights into the program and personalized guidance.
Explicit
The teaching method is not exploratory. It is direct, non-ambiguous and clearly defined.
Systematic
Lessons are organized into five steps, establishing a routine that incorporates repetition and practice of previously taught skills, making it easy for students to follow and build on their learning.
Sequential
Instruction builds cumulatively from simple to complex patterns, helping students master concepts.
Sarah Hensien
Principal
St. Clare of Montefalco
"Julie Brennan is a passionate and dynamic reading instructor. She worked meticulously with our elementary teachers to raise their confidence and understanding in teaching decoding skills in the classroom. The positive results were seen in the classrooms in so many ways!"
Join Today!
Provide your Educators the Course they need to succeed in teaching literacy.
- Easy to Register
- Easy Payment Process
- In person course launch with Julia Brennan
- School year calendar access
- Course Completion Certificate
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