Now, parents and teachers are turning from standard reading workbooks to controversial new technology for help. Other computer programs, such as Earobics and the Waterford Early Reading Program, are in 10,000 more schools nationwide. Each program reports dramatic improvements, in part because kids love playing the learning games and because the games push them to increased skill levels. Earobics says that after 12,000 Chicago public school students took the course, kindergartners on average doubled their spelling skills and first graders went from below normal up to grade level. Fast ForWord reports that on two national language tests, poor readers jumped nearly 10 percent, reaching their average grade level.
Critics note that there has been no independent testing or comparisons of the programs.
There really should be some kind of clearinghouse for reading, the way there's the Food and Drug Administration for medicine. For parents this can be a complete nightmare. Still, there are things parents can look for. Different programs excel at different parts of this agenda. And then there's price.