Thinking ReaderThinking Reader

Software EvaluationSoftware Evaluation

Program name: Thinking ReaderProgram name: Thinking Reader

Vendor: Scholastic/Tom Snyder Prod.Vendor: Scholastic/Tom Snyder Prod.

Content: Reading ComprehensionContent: Reading Comprehension

Grade Level: 5-8Grade Level: 5-8

What does the program do?What does the program do?

Assists students in the comprehension of Assists students in the comprehension of literature.literature.

Assists teacher in the assessment of Assists teacher in the assessment of students’ progress and understanding of students’ progress and understanding of the text.the text.

Utilizes award-winning core literature.Utilizes award-winning core literature.

Is the program designed for special Is the program designed for special needs learners?needs learners?

Written to the guideline of Section 508.Written to the guideline of Section 508.Aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act Aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act implemented in 2001.implemented in 2001.Translation available for ESL students.Translation available for ESL students.Teachers can change the difficulty level for each Teachers can change the difficulty level for each individual student.individual student.Read stories aloud for students who may need Read stories aloud for students who may need that service.that service.Visual feedback and positive reinforcement for Visual feedback and positive reinforcement for students.students.

Is it proven to be effective for Is it proven to be effective for students?students?

In a federally funded study it was proven to In a federally funded study it was proven to increase comprehension in students who were increase comprehension in students who were below the 25below the 25thth percentile. percentile. Emerged from nearly 20 years of research on Emerged from nearly 20 years of research on comprehension.comprehension.Dr. Bridget Dalton, who published articles in Dr. Bridget Dalton, who published articles in special education journals and was a co-creator special education journals and was a co-creator in the program with Dr. David Rose. Rose is an in the program with Dr. David Rose. Rose is an author and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School author and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education.of Education.

How do you monitor a student’s How do you monitor a student’s progress?progress?

Through work logs which track student Through work logs which track student responses to literature.responses to literature.

Embedded quizzes that test reading Embedded quizzes that test reading comprehension.comprehension.

Comprehensive reports which monitors a Comprehensive reports which monitors a reader’s progress. reader’s progress.

What is the cost on schools?What is the cost on schools?

There are many funding opportunities and There are many funding opportunities and it’s affordable.it’s affordable.– Special Education, Title II-D, IDEA Grants, Special Education, Title II-D, IDEA Grants,

Striving Readers Grants.Striving Readers Grants.– Prices range from 250 dollars to 2,200 dollars Prices range from 250 dollars to 2,200 dollars

based on number of licenses needed. based on number of licenses needed.