In 2024 the European Commission requested a report on the teaching of reading. The project was led by School of Education's Emeritus Professor Colin Harrison with team of literacy experts from the UK, USA, Finland and Germany.
The Commission requested its networks to produce a unique analytical report exploring effective reading teaching practices across Europe. The report consisted of a detailed literature review of the most recent European (and international) research on effective approaches to teaching literacy, focusing on practices that have been properly evaluated and supported by available evidence of impact. This interest came in the light of the PISA 2022 student results, which showed a decline in performance in basic reading skills across Europe. The Commission believed that these results called for a closer analysis of the way in which basic skills are taught in EU countries. The report looked at effective teaching practices (both pedagogical and content-specific), support programmes and policies that promote literacy for all children across the EU. It covered different levels of education and considered the gender perspective and attention to vulnerable and special needs groups. Finally, the report identified possible challenges and success factors of these practices.
Since the publication of the report, Professor Harrison has given presentations at the UK Literacy Association, a major conference in China and at the Literacy Association of Ireland.
Later this month, on 27 November, he will be the main speaker at a webinar organised by the European Commission on the report, which will also feature a Q and A discussion.
Event details and register attendance
Posted on Thursday 13th November 2025