Supporting struggling readers is crucial in ensuring their long-term success in school and beyond. One effective approach that has shown tremendous results is the EMPOWER Reading Program, designed to provide targeted reading support for students who face challenges with decoding and comprehension. In this post, we’ll explore how the EMPOWER program works, its benefits for students, and insights from recent research on its implementation and success in schools.
Understanding the EMPOWER Program
The EMPOWER program is a research-backed intervention designed to help struggling readers improve their decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills. Developed at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, this program has been widely implemented in various school boards, offering significant support to students who struggle with reading. Dr. Erin Panda, a researcher from Brock University, recently studied the program’s effectiveness in collaboration with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, providing valuable insights into how EMPOWER benefits students and schools.
Research-Driven Reading Support
The EMPOWER program’s foundation lies in decades of research, led by Dr. Maureen Lovett. Through rigorous studies, the program has proven to effectively improve reading skills in students who receive direct, explicit instruction on decoding and strategy use. This combination allows students to tackle complex words with confidence, breaking them down into manageable parts and recognizing common spelling patterns. By teaching students metacognitive strategies, EMPOWER helps them develop problem-solving skills, fostering greater self-confidence in reading.
The Impact of EMPOWER on Students
Teachers and parents alike have witnessed significant gains in students’ reading abilities through EMPOWER. Students who previously read far below grade level often close the gap, allowing them to better access grade-level material. Dr. Panda’s research, conducted in partnership with the Hamilton-Wentworth Board, showed that using EMPOWER for reading support not only improved students’ reading scores but also positively affected their self-esteem and engagement with reading.
Early Intervention is Key
One of the standout findings of Dr. Panda’s research is the importance of early intervention in reading support. Students who received EMPOWER earlier in their educational journey, such as in grade two, showed stronger reading gains by grade five compared to those who began the program later. This highlights the need for early identification and support for struggling readers to maximize their potential and improve their reading outcomes long-term.
Effective Implementation in Schools
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board serves as a role model in successfully implementing the EMPOWER program. By prioritizing teacher training, ensuring sufficient resources, and protecting instructional time for learning resource teachers, the board maximized the program’s effectiveness. Ensuring students complete the entire program and providing consistent support are essential factors in achieving positive outcomes.
Building Confidence Through Reading
A core component of EMPOWER is its focus on building students’ confidence in their reading abilities. As students learn to decode and understand more complex words, their sense of self-efficacy grows. The program’s structure allows students to see themselves as problem solvers, applying learned strategies to new and challenging words. This shift in mindset can significantly change a child’s relationship with reading, as they move from feeling defeated to feeling empowered.
A Call to Action for Educators and Parents
Dr. Panda encourages both educators and parents to advocate for the EMPOWER program in schools to improve reading support. While the program is available in many Ontario school boards, not all students have access to it. Educators are urged to push for its widespread adoption, and parents can play a crucial role by advocating for their children to participate in this research-driven intervention. Given the proven success of EMPOWER, it is a vital tool in supporting struggling readers and ensuring they receive the help they need.
Explore More Literacy and Reading Support
For additional strategies and resources on supporting readers, check out these posts:
- Modifying and Accommodating for Students Reading At or Below Grade Levels
- How to Run Your Guided Reading Sessions
- How to Assess Reading
Each offers practical insights and tips to help build confident, capable readers in your classroom!