About SIRL

New methods for examining the cognitive functions of the human brain have greatly increased the potential scope of basic mechanisms research. In addition to fundamental behavioral measurements, we can now probe a variety of biological parameters that may reveal new insights into how people process text and learn to read. Use of these measurements has produced intriguing insights, though it is not yet clear how they will ultimately impact our ability to teach people to read and to alleviate reading disabilities.

The Stanford Institute for Reading and Learning (SIRL) was established in January 2001 and is dedicated to advancing the state of research on reading, learning, and their disabilities. SIRL was founded with a seed grant from the Schwab Foundation.