In 1997, Congress established the National Reading Panel (NRP) to review research on how children learn to read and determine the most effective evidence-based methods for reading instruction.

In 2000, the NRP published its evaluation of existing research in a meta-analysis and highlighted five critical components of early literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

These components were incorporated into the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, which highlighted them as the five critical areas of early literacy instruction.

In order for good reading skills to develop, the NRP said the best approach to reading instruction should incorporate the following:

1. Explicit instruction in phonemic awareness
2. Systematic phonics instruction
3. Methods to improve fluency
4. The teaching of vocabulary
5. Ways to enhance comprehension