Scientifically Proven

Our software tools and materials are based on scientifically proven principles. We have a team of highly qualified professionals with an extensive knowledge of teaching methods for reading and writing, and of the research behind the methods.

Read on to find out how our products are supported by scientific research.

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The National Reading Panel (NRP) examined many of the 100,000 pieces of research into the teaching of reading that have been published since 1966, and 15,000 from before 1966, with the aim of resolving the continuous debate about what is the best approach.

Members of the panel investigated research into:

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Vocabulary development
• Reading fluency
• Reading comprehension skills

They used criteria to judge whether or not each piece of research used methods that produced scientifically valid results. They then published a report identifying teaching methods that are truly effective.

The NRP’s report was used as a basis for the Put Reading First initiative - one of the central themes of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This was the biggest piece of educational legislation in the United States since 1965 and set out a new framework for implementation and funding of public education.

NCLB’s aim is that every student will be reading on grade level by the end of the third grade. It allocates substantial funding for literacy programs that apply its findings on "scientifically based reading research."

We specialize in literacy software that helps you apply the NCLB’s findings.

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Reading and writing are the two central skills that all children need to learn. The Report of the National Commission on Writing in America’s schools and colleges (April 2003) states that writing has become ‘The neglected R’.

The Commission sums up the role of writing as a vital component of every child’s education:

“Writing, properly understood, is thought on paper… it is also thought on screen, a richly elaborated, logically connected amalgam of ideas, words, themes, images and multimedia designs.” (The National Writing Commission)

Our software gives students the tools they need to develop their writing skills and links the two essential skills of reading and writing, helping children of all abilities to achieve their full potential.

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One of our fundamental philosophies is to cater for students of all abilities. Our content is differentiated to ensure that No Child is Left Behind.

Our software is particularly valuable in building success for:

• Early readers and writers
• Struggling students
• Students with English as a second language
• Students with physical limitations
• Students with learning disabilities

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There are three scientifically proven principles that are central to our software and make our products unique in how they support young and developing readers and writers of all abilities:

1. Whole Word support
   

   Research repeatedly demonstrates the importance of whole word recognition for fluent reading, especially for high frequency words. Clicker, Find Out & Write About and Planet Wobble all support children’s writing by enabling them to write with whole words, phrases and pictures. Of course, they can still write letter-by-letter; our software gives additional support by providing a scaffolding of words, phrases and pictures that help the student to build sentences and structure their writing.

2. Speech support
   

   Giving speech support when the student asks for it means that children take control of their own learning to improve their vocabulary.All of our software gives speech support, enabling even non-readers to select words and phrases to create their own meaningful writing.

3. Motivation
   

   Possibly the most powerful factor in learning is motivation. Because our software is designed to help students of all abilities to achieve success, teachers tell us over and over again how it motivates students and gives them access to learning.

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