Choosing a Reading Curriculum with Dr. Maria Murray, Founder & CEO of The Reading League
In today’s episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Maria Murray, founder and CEO of The Reading League, to talk about one of the most consequential decisions schools make: choosing a reading curriculum. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by programs, sales pitches, reviews, or state requirements, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.
Dr. Murray shares her story—from researcher to reading scientist to starting The Reading League—and explains why knowledge-building and ongoing support are essential for schools implementing evidence-aligned reading instruction. Together, we unpack what curriculum decision-makers really need to know, what red flags to watch for, and why implementation matters just as much as the curriculum itself.
🎙️ In This Episode, We Cover
Maria’s Journey & Why The Reading League Exists
How real school intervention studies sparked the creation of The Reading League
Why teachers’ “unfinished learning” drives the mission
What it means to be a “knowledge broker” for educators
What Schools Should Clarify Before Reviewing Any Curriculum
Understanding whether you need instruction for foundational skills, language comprehension, or both
Why a review team must have at least a baseline understanding of the science of reading
The misconception that any program will be a “magic bullet”
The Reading League Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines
How the Compass tools support decision-makers
Why red flags must be the first step in reviewing programs
How to differentiate between non-negotiables and “wishlist” features
Why the fewest red flags should guide curriculum approval
Red Flags to Watch For in Curriculum Materials
Dr. Murray shares the big ones teachers and leaders should never ignore:
Practices that contradict research on word recognition and language comprehension
Overreliance on memorization strategies
Misalignment between assessments and instructional goals
Programs that require heavy supplementation from the start
Curriculum ≠ Success Without Strong Implementation
Why a program is “only as good as the teacher standing behind it”
The danger of over-adoption and overwhelming teachers with too many programs
Balancing fidelity with student needs
Using progress monitoring to guide ongoing adjustments
Building Teacher Buy-In During Curriculum Shifts
The importance of transparency, shared ownership, and strong leadership
Why professional development must be ongoing—not a one-and-done training
How beliefs, knowledge, and practices align to improve student outcomes
Navigating Social Media & TPT in the Science of Reading Era
What teachers should be cautious about when seeking answers online
Why confirmation bias can mislead well-intentioned educators
How to begin a trustworthy learning journey
Recommended Reading League resources for accurate guidance
What Gives Dr. Murray the Most Hope
Success stories from classrooms, districts, and entire states
Why she predicts a tipping point in reading instruction this decade
Her dream that one day The Reading League will “work itself out of a job”
💡 Key Takeaways
Choosing a curriculum is high-stakes work and requires thoughtful, evidence-aligned review.
Red flags should guide your initial filtering process—don’t try to “fix” programs that fundamentally conflict with research.
Implementation, coaching, and professional development are just as important as the program you choose.
Teachers deserve support, clarity, and the knowledge needed to make instruction effective.
The future of reading instruction is hopeful—and getting brighter every year.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
The Reading League Compass (Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines, Red Flags, Glossaries, Workbooks, Navigation Reports)
https://www.thereadingleague.org/compassThe Reading League Homepage
https://www.thereadingleague.orgWant More?
Explore more Science of Reading PD, decodables, small-group planning tools, coaching sessions, and literacy resources at Route2Reading inside the Literacy Edventures Membership.
