Foundations A-Z

Name: Foundations A-Z
Brand: Learning A-Z

by Learning A-Z

ElaGrades K–2

About This Curriculum

<cite index="1-9">Foundations A-Z delivers an explicit, research-based, K-5 foundational skills solution built on the Science of Reading</cite>, offered as <cite index="1-20,1-21">a digital-first foundational skills solution with a teacher dashboard, guided lesson plans, embedded professional development, and independent student practice opportunities</cite>.

What makes it unique: <cite index="1-13">Provides explicit, systematic K-5 instruction based on the Science of Reading</cite> with <cite index="1-22">classroom reports that automatically generate recommended resources for teachers to personalize small-group instruction and independent practice</cite>.

Foundations A-Z: Digital Science of Reading Platform with Implementation Issues

Foundations A-Z is a digital-first foundational skills curriculum by Learning A-Z designed for grades K-2, built on Science of Reading principles with systematic phonics instruction. The platform features explicit literacy instruction, detailed scope and sequence, and comprehensive student progress reporting through an interactive web-based format.

Best for

Elementary teachers (K-2) seeking digital phonics instruction with strong scope and sequence, particularly those who need detailed student progress monitoring and embedded professional development support

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 neutral · 4 insufficient evidence

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for grade-level text demands according to independent evaluation.

EdReports Gateway 1 rating shows 'Meets Expectations' for 'alignment to grade-level text demands, range and quality of texts'

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum includes embedded professional development and detailed teacher support materials.

Features 'embedded professional development' and 'guided lesson plans' with 'incredibly detailed student reports that would offer educators valuable feedback'

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum employs direct, explicit instruction methods through video-based teaching.

Features 'videos providing direct teaching instruction' and 'direct and explicit teaching in phonics skills' as core components

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The curriculum provides systematic, explicit phonics instruction aligned with Science of Reading principles.

Described as having 'detailed, planned scope and sequence' with 'systematic literacy instruction' and 'direct and explicit teaching in phonics skills highly recommended by reading experts'

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum focuses primarily on foundational literacy skills rather than systematic domain knowledge building.

EdReports notes it 'Meets Expectations' for building knowledge through texts, but descriptions emphasize phonics and foundational skills over content knowledge

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

The digital platform likely includes practice opportunities, but specific retrieval practice methods are unclear.

Mentions 'independent student practice opportunities' but lacks detail on spaced review or systematic retrieval practice implementation

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of explicit vocabulary instruction approaches.

Reviews focus primarily on phonics and foundational skills with minimal mention of vocabulary development strategies

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of structured writing instruction components.

Reviews describe the curriculum as focused on foundational reading skills with no mention of writing instruction or integration

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum appears to focus on foundational skills practice rather than whole book reading.

Reviews describe game-based phonics instruction and skill-building activities, with no mention of whole texts or complete books