Study rating 21 different reading programs

WOW, I always love this stuff. I printed off the whole thing, but it is very informational. Thanks for posting this. I have passed this on to several people already. Now, I better get busy.

Michelle AZ

Lil,

After skimming those reviews, I am going to have to say I’d be a bit wary because they gave Reading Recovery a high rating. Everything else I have read about it from credible sources says it is not very good at all. So I’d be cautious on using this source.

Janis

I agree with Janis. The problem with Reading Recovery that I’ve seen (no program is right for everyone, of course) is that there isn’t much in the way of systematic, explicit phonics instruction. They teach phonics, but it’s like phonics “lite.” It’s not surprising, though, that this study gives RR such high ratings—it was funded by the Ohio Dept. of Ed! Ohio really helped bring Reading Recovery to the U.S., and all the teacher training used to take place at Ohio State (I think). The state is very much invested in this program, which has been receiving more criticism. This certainly makes you wonder about the rest of the reviews.

Oh, so THAT explains it! Thanks, Cathy.

I think I’ll stick with Schwab’s list:

http://www.schwablearning.org/Articles.asp?r=318&g=2&d=5

Janis

Janis:

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Gee! That was the first thing that went through my mind as well. Another program that got high ratings was Success For All.. While it may work for non-LD students it has been a disaster for the LD kids, especially the older ones who fail the same levels over and over again, because there is no phonics component at that level. Rather than teach these kids to read, they want the teachers to give accommodations for the Special Ed. kids.

I agree with you. I think these ratings are very suspect.

Marilyn

Janis, Would you be able to cite the sources that you’ve located re: Reading Recovery and its lack of effectiveness? Thanks, Cindy

For starters, go to this site and search Reading Recovery. There are MANY references there:

http://www.nrrf.org/index.html

Janis

Another:

http://www.educationnews.org/ReadingRecoveryisnotsuccessful.htm

Janis

Just wondering if these programs are related in any way.

Well, thanks for the heads up everyone! As you know, I am just a mom with little experience to determine whether the “experts” are accurate. :-) Interesting conversation, though.

Laura, I don’t think these are related. I know Soar to Success is a comprehension program (I think) and not a full reading program. Success for All is a beginning reading program for the regular classroom. It is included in the list of research based programs.

Janis