Helping Struggling High School Readers: The Impact of Readable English in Alternative Schools

At Readable English, we’re always excited when research backs up the work we do. A 2023 study published in the Language Arts Journal of Michigan highlighted the impact of our program on high school students who struggle with reading, specifically those in alternative education settings. This research shows how Readable English can make a real difference for students who face extra challenges in developing reading skills.

The Study: What We Learned

The study focused on 25 students from two alternative high schools, all of whom were identified as having significant reading difficulties. Over 14 weeks, these students either received individual tutoring (control group n=11) in sight words and phonics instruction, or Readable English instruction (intervention group n=14). The study aimed to measure improvements in key areas like reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.

Key Findings: Positive Results Across the Board

The study’s results showed that students who used Readable English experienced notable gains in several critical areas:

• Reading Accuracy and Fluency: Students using Readable English saw significant improvements in both their reading accuracy and fluency, which helped them become more confident and proficient readers. According to the GORT-4, Readable English students improved by 3.3 grade levels in accuracy compared to 0.5 in the control group. For fluency, students who received Readable English instruction gained 2.4 grade levels compared to 0.7 in the control group. 

• Comprehension: Perhaps most importantly, the intervention group showed a significant boost in reading comprehension scores (0.9 grade levels compared to -0.2 in the control group), indicating that Readable English wasn’t just helping students read more fluently but also understand what they were reading.

• Real-World Application: One of the standout findings was how students were able to transfer the skills they learned through Readable English to standard English texts. This suggests that the program is effective in equipping students with the skills they need to succeed across all reading materials.

What This Means for Educators

For teachers working in alternative high schools or with students who need extra support, this study provides strong evidence that Readable English can be a game-changer. It’s a flexible program that can be integrated into existing curricula, giving students the chance to improve their reading skills without requiring major changes to lesson plans or classroom routines.

This study further solidifies Readable English’s role as an effective tool for helping students overcome reading challenges. We’re excited about the impact we’re already seeing and look forward to expanding our work to support more students in a variety of settings.

If you’re an educator looking to support your struggling readers, Readable English might be just the tool you need. It’s helping students gain the fluency, accuracy, and comprehension they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Reach out to schedule a demo today!