Additional Material Developed with Special Care for Students Whose Backgrounds Have Been Historically Marginalized
WINOOSKI, Vt., Oct. 01, 2020 — Reading Plus, a research-backed online program that uses personalized instruction to improve students’ reading proficiency, today announced the expansion of its content library to more than 2,500 engaging and diverse selections. The extensive literary offerings, which will be double last year’s collection by the end of 2020, are carefully curated to maintain the highest standards of quality, integrity, and diversity.
The Reading Plus program develops comprehension, vocabulary, and silent reading fluency for students in grades 3-12, producing up to two and a half years of growth in just 60 hours of instruction. More than 5,000 schools turn to Reading Plus’s unique approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of reading. By directing students’ eyes across a piece of text with its patented Guided Window, the program strengthens necessary visual skills that in turn build stamina and motivation.
The expanded content library contains appealing informational and literary selections that support instructional objectives in curriculum areas such as STEM, social science, and American civics. Selections added this year have a strong focus on the experiences of Black students, people of color, and others who are traditionally underrepresented.
“Everyone deserves to see themselves and their communities in the materials they read,” said Randi Bender, chief content officer at Reading Plus. “My editorial team combs through thousands of texts to find the best content that respects and reflects all cultures, backgrounds, and personal interests. At Reading Plus, our goal is to support students on their path to becoming engaged global citizens.”
On October 1, Bender and La’Keisha Ciprian, regional customer success partner at Reading Plus, presented the session “Looking in the Mirror: Ensuring Students See Themselves in Instructional Content” at the EdCuration Virtual Conference on Committing to Antiracist Curriculum & Instruction. The presentation explored the importance of having an inclusive content library that both “mirrors” a student’s experiences and provides “windows” to help foster understanding and appreciation for others. Jenny Eisenman, chief education officer at Reading Plus, moderated the session.
“Rich content excites and motivates even the most reluctant readers,” said Ciprian. “At Reading Plus, we know that students who connect with texts become more engaged, which fuels their learning and sets them up for success.”
Reading Plus works with well-known and respected names in publishing to provide high-quality texts for children and young adults at all reading levels. Partners include Science News for Students, Highlights, The Guardian, Cricket Media, ABDO, Cherry Lake Publishing, and more.
To learn more about the Reading Plus program, visit www.readingplus.com.
ABOUT READING PLUS
Reading Plus is a research-proven, online program that provides personalized intervention and instruction for students in grades 3-12, improving reading proficiency up to 2.5-grade levels in a single school year. Reading Plus develops comprehension, vocabulary, motivation, and stamina, while also going beyond the offerings of other literacy programs by addressing silent reading fluency. It supports students with diverse needs, including English learners, special education, RTI/MTSS tiers 1-3, and advanced readers. Reading Plus provides educators with an easy-to-use management and reporting system, extensive resources to guide differentiated instruction, professional development, and highly-rated customer support. The Reading Plus program is used in more than 5,000 schools nationally, helping over 1 million students become efficient, confident, lifelong readers. For more information visit www.readingplus.com.
