Boosting Middle School Literacy: How Readable English is Making a Difference in the Classroom

As a company dedicated to improving literacy, we're always excited when research backs up the incredible results we see every day. A recent paper published in the Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk highlights the success of Readable English in transforming reading outcomes for middle school students, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the results!

A Look at the Study

The research involved 344 middle school students across four rural schools. These students had been identified as needing extra support with their reading, and they participated in an intervention that incorporated Readable English into their regular English Language Arts classes.

This study focused on students in grades 6 to 8, an age when reading challenges can really impact academic performance. The great news? Readable English made a significant difference in how well these students could read and understand texts.

What the Data Shows

The results were nothing short of impressive. Here’s a quick breakdown of what the study found:

• Reading Fluency: Students who used Readable English showed notable improvements in their reading speed and accuracy. In fact, they outperformed their peers by a large margin in reading fluency with an effect size of 0.18 (large) in EasyCBM measures and 0.13 (approaching large) in WRMT-3.
• Comprehension Boost: It wasn’t just fluency, students also understood what they were reading better. The intervention group saw an effect size of 0.10 (moderate) in comprehension growth in EasyCBM and 0.25 (large) in growth according to the WRMT-3, meaning they were grasping more of the material than the control group.

These numbers are powerful evidence that Readable English helps students become faster, more accurate readers while also improving their ability to understand what they read.

What This Means for Educators

For educators and school administrators, the takeaway is clear: a program like Readable English can be a game-changer for struggling middle school readers. By equipping students with the tools to read fluently and comprehend effectively, educators can set them up for greater academic success across all subjects. Investing in literacy support at this critical stage not only boosts reading skills but also fosters long-term learning confidence.

Moving Forward: Creating Lasting Change

At Readable English, we are passionate about improving adolescent literacy. The success of this study reinforces what we’ve always believed - our approach works, and it works particularly well for middle school students who need extra support.

If you're an educator looking to enhance reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension in your classroom, we’re here to help. Reach out to find out how we can work together to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.