This document was created in response to a request from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to the Wisconsin Minnesota Comprehensive Center (WMCC) Region 10 to provide information on high-quality, qualitative studies about explicit, systematic phonics instruction in grades K-2. It is meant for internal use by the Department of Public Instruction to inform professional development provided to Wisconsin districts, schools, and appropriate stakeholders. The review, with the exception of one research brief from the International Literacy Association, utilizes only material from peer-reviewed journals. Using peer-reviewed articles helps ensure that the articles use rigorous methodology, answer meaningful research questions, and draw valid conclusions. Sources and databases used include Google Scholar; ERIC; "Journal of Early Childhood Literacy;" "Journal of Literacy Research;" "Language Arts;" and the International Literacy Association. [For a supplement to this review, see ED612072.]