Reach Students

By the time students reach upper elementary and middle school grades, they are expected to be competent readers; however, across the country, over 40% of students still perform significantly below grade level in reading proficiency.

Many of these students live in high-poverty neighborhoods, have language-based learning challenges, or struggle because English is not their home language. Students with reading and language deficiencies tend to underperform in many if not all of their academic subjects. These students also often develop a negative self-image, lack academic confidence, and demonstrate low motivation and high frustration.

The Altis Reach program was developed to specifically address the complex needs of these older struggling readers and also to help English Language Learners. Instructional techniques that are particularly helpful for English Language Learners include spoken fluency practice; diverse auditory models; multiple, diverse exposures to words, including auditory, visual, animated and contextual cues and supports, as well as auditory supports in Spanish; English-language idioms; robust vocabulary building activities; synonyms and antonyms; homophones; multiple meaning words; and high-frequency words and phrases.