Looking for effective, fundable, research-based literacy solutions?
Recognized by the Michigan Department of Education and eligible for 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding, the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota provides comprehensive foundational skills curriculum and professional development to Michigan educators—supported by tier 1 university research and proven to deliver the Science of Reading to your classrooms.
Functional Phonics+Morphology is a K-5 comprehensive foundational skills curriculum aligned with structured literacy practices that progresses from simple to complex, focusing on building students' word reading and spelling skills over time. CAREIALL: Advancing Language and Literacy serves educators as a comprehensive professional development course designed to operationalize structured literacy in K-12 classrooms—enabling multi-tiered system of supports, equitable and inclusive practices, and the science of teaching and learning .
Our literacy experts are with you every step of the way, from adoption through implementation and post-implementation assessment. With CAREI, you can customize the approach for your school or district, ensuring literacy solutions are as unique as your students, your teachers, and your communities.
CAREIALL: Advancing Language and Literacy Professional Development
- Eligible for 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding.
- Satisfies Michigan continuing education unit (CEU) requirements.
- Based in latest evidence-based practices and research that guides literacy instructional decision-making.
- CAREI literacy experts lead all instruction and post-course analysis.
- Teachers complete CAREIALL understanding elements of assessment, multi-tiered system of supports, equitable and culturally-responsive practices, and the Science of Teaching and Learning.
Functional Phonics+Morphology Foundational Skills Curriculum
- Eligible for 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding.
- Explicit, systematic, and sequential teaching of foundational phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and morphology at multiple levels.
- Research demonstrates that both phonics and vocabulary are essential to reading development (Scarborough's rope)—our curriculum is the only foundational skills curriculum that provides support for both, sequentially across grades K-5, with all teachers accessing all levels.
- Flexible scope and sequence of evidence-based instructional practices built in a progression, from simple to complex.
- Trials are available upon request.
Combined CAREIALL and Functional Phonics+Morphology in Districts
- Eligible for 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding.
- Grounded in the Science of Reading and current research.
- Offers flexibility—both in-person and hybrid delivery options.
- Provides literacy experts every step of the way—from purchase to adoption, transfer to practice, and feedback.
- Supports K-12 literacy structure in every classroom, of every school or district.
- Satisfies Michigan Department of Education state mandates.
Eligibility for Michigan’s 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding
Recognized as Tier 1 literacy tools, both Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum and CAREIALL: Advancing Language and Literacy meet the foundational or universal level of academic support as defined by the Michigan Department of Education in 35M Per-Pupil Literacy Funding. In each CAREI offering, all students receive instruction through a high-quality curriculum and evidence-based practices.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology and CAREIALL are grounded in scientifically based research on reading and writing, demonstrating a high likelihood of improving student literacy outcomes.
This includes adherence to structured literacy principles, emphasizing components such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology and CAREIALL can demonstrate evidence of a history of increasing student literacy outcomes.
Priority is given to series with proven success in enhancing literacy skills among students.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology and CAREIALL offer a systematic approach to teaching and developing reading, writing, and other essential literacy skills across all grade levels.
This includes resources that support the development of speaking and listening skills.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology and CAREIALL are designed to meet the needs of all students.
Each provides high-quality curriculum and evidence-based practices accessible to a diverse student population.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology and CAREIALL have submitted self-evaluations using The Reading League Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines: Reviewer Workbook.
This includes appropriate evidence such as lesson references, alignment documents, and contextual narratives.
Why choose CAREI literacy curriculum and professional development?
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum and CAREIALL professional development ...
- Comply with Michigan legislation for literacy intervention.
- Are built on the Science of Reading and match Science of Reading trainings.
- Offer coaching and extended training to fit the needs of your specific school or district.
- Are delivered by literacy experts. You'll work with your CAREI specialist from product trial all the way through post-intervention feedback.
- Can be delivered in in-person and hybrid options, flexible to your needs.
Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum ...
- Ensures fidelity of instructional delivery through ready-made curricular tools, resources, and handouts.
- Is an "all in one" model, where teachers gain access to all levels of curricular programming to address all students' needs in their classrooms.
- Includes reading decoding/encoding and spelling.
CAREIALL professional development ...
- Can be completed in 6-9 months, or over two years utilizing flexible scheduling.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum and CAREIALL professional development ...
- Are proven to be effective in special education settings.
- Can be used by teachers assisting students struggling at or below reading level.
- Include explicit instruction that meets the needs of all learners.
- Can be used across multi-tiered system of supports models to ensure consistency in academic language and structures of lessons.
Both Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum and CAREIALL professional development ...
- Meet the needs of all students.
- Equip teachers with tools for easy preparation and utilization.
- Provide home-school connections materials and modeling.
Functional Phonics+Morphology curriculum ...
- Has been shaped by 1000s of classroom observations, building around the voices of teachers.
- Can be purchased alongside training options for educators.
CAREIALL professional development ...
- Provides graduate credit, continued education units (CEUs), and can be utilized for Center for Excellence in Reading Instruction (CERI) certification.
- Serves as preparation for the KPEERI exam.
- Streamlines learning modules in manageable amounts, as compared to competitors' offerings.
- Can be completed in 6-9 months, or over two years utilizing flexible scheduling.
What schools and districts say...
CAREI Literacy Training, Curriculum, and Intervention Products and Services
CAREIALL - Training
A comprehensive professional development course designed to support educators in operationalizing structured literacy in their classrooms.
Functional Phonics+Morphology - Tier 1 Curriculum
A comprehensive, evidence-based phonics curriculum which follows a logical progression of phonics based skills from simple to complex for building reading and spelling skills.
Customized Literacy Solutions
At CAREI, we provide school districts with customized support to strengthen literacy outcomes. Our services include, but are not limited to, strategic consultation, technical assistance, and embedded coaching.