As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt
Phil Capin, assistant professor of education, saw two research grants cut in May.Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Nation & World As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt Partnership with Texas, Colorado researchers terminated as part of federal funding cuts targeting Harvard Liz Mineo Harvard Staff Writer July 1, 2025 5 min read Children who struggle with reading often also have difficulty focusing, according to experts. Yet these students frequently receive ineffective support, with reading and attention difficulties addressed separately. Intrigued by the possibility of helping students with reading and behavioral attention struggles, Harvard expert Phil Capin and his colleague Garrett Roberts from University of Denver designed a study to investigate the benefits of an integrated approach to intervention. The research project aimed to test the effects of a single, unified intervention called Supporting Attention and Reading for Kids (SPARK) on students in grades 3-5. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Capin’s $3.2...