subject: The Importance Of Reading Intervention For Struggling Students [print this page] Reading, writing, and 'rithmetic are still the basics of education, the foundation upon which the entire educational experience is built. When there is a weakness in this foundation, the entire structure is at risk. Without mastery of these basics, learning most any subject is increasingly difficult year after year with often lifelong consequences and limitations in growth and opportunity. Reading comprehension is the most essential basic skill, with early reading intervention necessary for students who are struggling or who suffer from learning disabilities such as dyslexia that result in reading difficulties.
Many school districts in the United States are dealing with serious budget shortfalls that are demanding that teachers and curriculum offerings be cut back in number and scale. Academic and reading intervention programs are among areas being cut in many areas, making it more difficult for struggling children to get the assessment and help they need to reach their academic potential. Where reading intervention programs are available in the public school system, some students may not qualify for participation. Often, they may appear to be doing adequate work when, in reality, they are having significant difficulties with learning and are simply "faking it" well enough for the time being.
A reading intervention program begins with thorough testing and assessment to determine where the problem originates. There may be a learning disability to overcome. Reading problems may result from issues such as light sensitivity or sight problems. Assessments will be made on issues including phonemic awareness, visual and auditory processing, processing speed and code knowledge, or the way letters and sounds relate to each other, in order to design a reading program to improve reading skills successfully. Students can begin a reading intervention program as young as five years old, though most students are between third and seventh grade.
One-on-one reading intensives with a live reading tutor will provide the fastest and most successful results for struggling students, something unavailable in public school programs. The personalized attention addresses the individual child's needs directly with a focus on the specific areas of weakness or difficulty. Parents are often encouraged to attend sessions with their children to learn how they can augment and encourage their children's progress.
Reading comprehension truly is basic, making a reading intervention essential for a child who is struggling. With professional assistance, reading problems can be effectively overcome for a child with improved self-confidence and a love of reading for a lifetime of learning.
