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Learning to read is a foundational skill that is critical to academic success. Yet, it is a skill that eludes many children. Children who have difficulty learning to read need instruction that is balanced, systematic and explicit. This chapter provides an overview of literacy development, with special attention to universal features across languages. It describes the characteristics of effective reading instruction within a response to instruction framework and recommends attention to both the content and delivery of instruction. Assessment is an essential component of sound instruction. Thus, a discussion of assessment for both screening and progress monitoring purposes is included. The final section identifies additional factors that must be considered when determining children’s need for additional instruction.