SRA/McGraw-Hill Introduces 'SRA Read To Achieve'

Leading publisher SRA/McGraw-Hill recently launched SRA Read to Achieve, designed to provide instruction in comprehension strategies that adolescent students can apply successfully to content-area classes, such as science and social studies. It has been specifically designed to meet the more complex literacy requirements of middle and high school.

Research has shown that many middle and high school students lack the skills necessary to read and comprehend academic materials. The content in Read to Achieve is appropriate for:

  --  Students who have difficulty decoding multisyllabic words
  --  Readers who struggle when they try to learn the meanings of unknown
      words
  --  Those less familiar with the strategies used to monitor comprehension
      and repair understanding

Read to Achieve targets the key components research has shown to be critical in the development of reading proficiency: text comprehension, decoding, vocabulary, and fluency. Essential tools and work strategies in the program prepare students to digest content and text independently, including:

  --  Comprehension strategies
  --  Word-learning strategies
  --  Fluency
  --  Study skills


  Increasing Students' Ability to Think About and Learn From Text

The program is based on a proven approach to improving comprehension. It is targeted to student needs, incorporates research-based practices, and provides strong instructional guidance. Read to Achieve provides two courses to boost achievement with explicit reading for understanding instruction:

  1. With Comprehending Content-Area Text, students:
  --  Effectively read science and social studies texts
  --  Take notes from textbooks and classroom lectures
  --  Learn real world study skills and work strategies

  2. With Comprehending Narrative Text students:
  --  Effectively read conceptually challenging text
  --  Capture main idea, key concepts, and details
  --  Engage in high quality open discussions of content

"The facts about less-skilled middle and high school students are well known. They often lack only the skills necessary to read and comprehend text and academic material," said Dr. Nancy Marchand-Martella, co-author of the program. "Tens of thousands of secondary students each day spend time in classes where they can't access the content. SRA Read to Achieve puts tools in the hands of teachers that allow them to target the challenges these adolescent readers face."

Motivates and Empowers Students

Read to Achieve incorporates engaging text and collaborative activities, increasing motivation to read. The instructional sequence progresses from strong teacher support to student independence. Reciprocal teaching strategies prepare students to monitor their own comprehension and construct meaning, building student autonomy. In Comprehending Narrative Text, students will study the award-winning novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, along with a variety of other popular and age-appropriate nonfiction texts. In Comprehending Content-Area Text, students will read material that replicates the content, style, and structure of best-selling science and social studies textbooks. At the conclusion of each module, teachers choose the text that students will read from a selection of recommended titles or from their own lists or from the school's actual science and social studies textbooks. This coordination of instructional practices helps close the gap between general education and intervention classes.

About the Authors

Dr. Nancy Marchand-Martella and Dr. Ronald Martella are professors of counseling, educational, and developmental psychology at the Eastern Washington University. Both have more than 25 years of experience working with at-risk populations.

Dr. Ronald Martella also provides technical assistance to numerous states and districts on positive behavior support (PBS)/behavior management for students with or without disabilities. For the State of Washington, he served on the statewide PBS Leadership Team and as a PBS coach for several schools throughout eastern Washington.

Dr. Nancy Marchand-Martella also provides technical assistance to numerous states as part of Reading First and Basic Tutorial Credentialing initiatives. For the State of Washington, she has served as a Reading First grant reviewer, Reading First panel member for the selection of reading programs for students in Grades K-3 and 4-12, and member of the K-12 Reading Advisory Panel.

Together, the authors have secured more than $2.7 million in external funding for research projects during their careers. In addition to authoring programs for SRA/McGraw-Hill, they also serve as consultants and classroom trainers on effective reading programs for students in Grades K-12.

About SRA/McGraw-Hill

SRA/McGraw-Hill is the top provider of specialized research-based educational programs and professional development for the elementary market. Leading programs include SRA Imagine It! reading program, Direct Instruction, SRA Number Worlds, and additional core and supplemental programs. SRA is part of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment, and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 60 languages. Additional information is available at MHEducation.com. For more information on SRA/McGraw-Hill's products, call 1-888-SRA-4543 and visit SRAonline.com.

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SOURCE: SRA/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Karen Sorrentino of SRA/McGraw-Hill, +1-614-750-7277,
karen_sorrentino@mcgraw-hill.com; or Melina Metzger of Paul Werth Associates,
+1-614-224-8114 Ext. 236, mmetzger@paulwerth.com

Web Site: http://www.mheducation.com/home/index.shtml
http://www.sraonline.com/