Online Reading Program Seeks Greater Text Diversity, Intros Literacy Leader Network
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/05/20
An
online reading program has pledged to double its content library with
more diverse selections. Reading
Plus,
whose program is used in 5,000-plus schools, will expand its
selections to 2,500 texts. The expansion of content will address
curriculum needs in STEM, social studies and American civics, the
company said in a press release, with an emphasis on the experiences
of Black students, people of color and others who have been
traditionally underrepresented.
The
program provides 60 hours of instruction, to develop comprehension,
vocabulary and silent reading fluency for students in grades 3-12. It
uses a "guided window," which, according to the company,
directs students' eyes across the text to strengthen visual skills,
while building stamina and motivation.
Reading
Plus has also announced its first advocacy group to advise the
company on teacher and student needs.
The
company works with a number of publishers to identify texts to use in
the program, including Science
News for Students,
Highlights,
The
Guardian,
Cricket
Media,
ABDO
and Cherry
Lake Publishing.
"Everyone
deserves to see themselves and their communities in the materials
they read," said Randi Bender, chief content officer at Reading
Plus, in a press release. "My editorial team combs through
thousands of texts to find the best content that respects and
reflects all cultures, backgrounds and personal interests."
"Rich
content excites and motivates even the most reluctant readers,"
added La'Keisha Ciprian, a regional customer success partner at the
company. "At Reading Plus, we know that students who connect
with texts become more engaged, which fuels their learning and sets
them up for success."
Nearly
two dozen reading specialists and tutors, teachers, curriculum
directors and school leaders have joined Reading Plus' new Literacy
Leaders Network.
The idea of the network is to influence product development through
"open dialogue and collaboration, sharing insight into the needs
of today's educators and students."
"It's
an honor being selected as a member of the inaugural class of Reading
Plus's Literacy Leaders Network," noted Jill Schneider, who
serves as an English teacher to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in
Ohio's Sycamore
Community Schools.
"As a teacher, I've witnessed the positive impact the program
has on our students. I look forward to working with other educators
across the country to ensure the company continues empowering
teachers and supporting the individualized needs of students."
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.