NYC Programs
Reading Intervention
Training Program
Program Details
Designed by expert clinicians from the Child Mind Institute, our reading intervention uses Sound Partners, an evidence-based, systematic, and explicit tutoring program. The program is classified by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards as having strong evidence for effectiveness. The intervention is supplemented with drills from David Kilpatrick’s Equipped for Reading Success to develop important phonological awareness skills, such as blending and rhyming. Students also read a variety of decodable books to practice applying letter-sound knowledge and build their confidence.
We recommend that the intervention is delivered for a cycle of 14 weeks, ensuring that students receive consistent small group instruction at least twice per week, 45 minutes per session.
Designed for at-risk readers in first grade and up, the program is also intended for English language learners and students receiving special education services.
Targeted Skills
Our intervention helps boost reading achievement and support struggling young readers improve key foundational skills, including decoding, word recognition, and phonological awareness.
Lessons also include activities that teach and strengthen:
- Phonological awareness
- Letter-sound correspondence
- Phoneme blending and segmenting
- Decoding and encoding phonetically regular words
- Recognizing irregular, high-frequency words
- Accurate, fluent, and expressive reading of connected text
Research-Based Approach
Our intervention incorporates the most recent Science of Reading research to build early reading skills. It complements the NYC Reads initiative in ensuring access to the most effective instructional methods for struggling readers while offering professional development focused on evidence-based literacy practices.
Proven Results
- Students who have completed our intervention have shown significant improvement in early literacy skills such as decoding, phonemic awareness, and reading fluency, with 93 percent decreasing their “risk” level according to DIBELS benchmark goals.
- On average, students were able to read 17 more words per minute and improved their reading accuracy by 21 percent after 14 weeks of instruction.
Who Our Training Program is For
Our Reading Intervention Training Program is designed for traditionally under-utilized school staff, including paraprofessionals and assistants. We work to cultivate an “all hands on deck” mindset, providing an opportunity for these staff members to grow professionally and make a difference in the lives of children by helping them grow as readers. Classroom teachers, literacy coaches, and other school staff may also benefit from the training. The program provides detailed guidance for delivering lessons and requires minimal preparation time, making implementation easy and effective.
Program implementation can be adapted to meet the unique needs of your school community.
Our reading intervention…
- Fits into an MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) model as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention program for students who lack foundational skills
- Offers a way to provide specialized reading instruction to students within an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class
- Supplements classroom instruction during centers or station teaching for struggling readers
- Can be adapted for a before or after school program, or summer school
Training Program Components
Collaborative Partnership
We work closely with your school leadership team to assess existing resources, student needs, and staffing capacity. Together we will create a tailored implementation plan to meet the needs of your school community. The school-based Program Coordinator helps manage the logistics on the ground and acts as a liaison between the school and the Child Mind Institute.
Comprehensive Training
Trainees receive four hours of training with a Child Mind Institute reading specialist. Delivered as a set of two workshops, they are conveniently scheduled onsite at your school building. We ensure trainees are prepared to deliver the intervention and understand the science behind it. The training includes interactive opportunities for hands-on practice and group discussion to enhance understanding of the material covered.
Access to Materials & Resources
Schools are provided with a starter set of curriculum materials, including teacher manuals and student books. Trainees receive a supplemental training manual with resources for lesson planning, delivery, and troubleshooting common difficulties. They also have access to assessment tools and methods for data collection to ensure that student progress is accurately monitored.
Tailored Consultation Support
To ensure a smooth program launch, we provide follow-up onsite visits as well as virtual coaching options. Based on participants’ needs, we can offer lesson demonstrations, observations, and opportunities to receive feedback, all within a supportive professional learning community.