New York,
NY (February
8,
2006) --
The Florida Center for Reading Research, created by Governor Bush to provide technical assistance to schools in the development and implementation of their Reading First assessment plans, recently published a review of Scholastic READ XL®, a research-based reading program designed to respond to the specific educational and personal needs of older, struggling readers in middle school and above.
Using age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction pint materials and an instructional model that is geared to individual student needs, READ XL motivates students and builds their reading mastery and confidence. The program includes an anthology of 24 lessons for each grade level, which provides explicit instruction in vocabulary and word study, comprehension strategies, self-monitoring strategies, writing, fluency practice, and real-world reading using authentic text. Additional reading practice is provided through shared novels, an independent library, an audiobook library, and an electronic text collection. A Teacher’s Guide offers teachers detailed instructional plans for each lesson, suggestions for ELL support, and comprehension questions.
According to the Florida Center of Reading Research report, READ XL strengths include:
· High-interest low reading level selections engage struggling
readers;
· Authentic text provides real world reading practice;
· Lexiled text makes selecting the appropriate level of text for each
student straightforward; and
· Sixty percent of the anthology readings are non-fiction.
“Scholastic is pleased by the results of the Florida Center of Reading Research review of READ XL, which examined the curriculum and described its strengths,” said Margery Mayer, President, Scholastic Education. “Successfully in use in middle and high schools around the country, this research-based program provides high-interest text that draws students into reading and supports even the most reluctant readers.”
READ XL has been effectively used with students who are reading one to two years below grade level. Many districts are using the program to transition students out of READ 180®, Scholastic’s groundbreaking research-based reading intervention program for students in grades 4 and above who struggle to read proficiently, into grade level language arts classes.
Florida Center for Reading Research reports are prepared in response to requests from Florida school districts for review of specific reading programs. The reports are intended to be a source of information about programs that will help teachers, principals, and district personnel in their choice of materials that can be used by skilled teachers to provide effective instruction. To view the entire report on READ XL, visit
http://www.fcrr.org/FCRRReports/PDF/ReadXL5Final.pdf.
About Scholastic Education
Scholastic Education, a leader in the education marketplace, provides learning solutions through research-based technology products and multimedia supplemental instructional materials that support student achievement in grades pre-K through high school. Grounded in the most current scientific research, Scholastic Education develops technology products and services that include intervention, assessment, instruction, data management and professional development.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
www.scholastic.com.