Ready, Set, READ! School Based Programs

Project Background

The Ready, Set, READ! Program was designed to provide multi-sensory, direct instruction to struggling readers in during the school day.

DII began with a three-year pilot program and helped more than 400 “at risk” students significantly grow in their reading and writing skills. In addition, many gains in students’ self-esteem and academic confidence were made that cannot be quantitatively measured.

On average, students who participated in the Ready, Set, READ! Program have seen their reading and spelling skills improve by 20%, or, a 2.07 grade level increase.

Based on findings from pre and post testing:

• On average, students who participated in Ready, Set, READ! for one year (and received approximately 55 instructional sessions) improved reading and spelling skills by 20%.
• Students who participated in the program for two consecutive years averaged a 38% improvement in reading and spelling skills.

DII achieved the following through the Ready, Set, READ! Program:

• Partnered with 13 Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS);
• Trained 123 teachers; and
• Provided approximately 10,300 hours of instruction to IPS students during the three-year project.

The schools in IPS with whom DII has worked through Ready, Set, READ! credit our program with helping increase their overall student achievement numbers. In fact, 70% of schools participating in Ready, Set, READ! in 2007 met AYP standards in Language Arts.

The main components of the Ready, Set, READ! Program include:

• Direct services for students: Individualized Orton Gillingham instruction and Small Group Instruction in Phonemic Awareness, Written Expression,
• Phonology and RAVE-O Reading Fluency and Comprehension
• Professional Development and Teacher Training;
• Development of On-site Parent Education Workshops; and
• Continuous Access to DII’s Information Resource and Referral Services.

With the assistance from Ready, Set, READ!, more children received the intervention support they needed and classroom teachers were more equipped to support students in their core subject learning. Working with students in their primary learning environment is an integral part of maximizing long-term retention of skills learned.

Does your School Need the Ready, Set, READ! Program?

DII is continuing the Ready, Set, READ! Program with new school districts and looking to expand our school support efforts throughout Indiana. We work with schools to create a customized support plan based on unique student and teacher needs and budget requirements. If your school or school corporation is interested in implementing multisensory education, please contact Collette Huffman, Director of School Based Programs: (317) 545-5451, x224, chuffman@dyslexiaindiana.org

Click here to download the full Three-Year Ready, Set, READ! report