Did you know that more than 60% of U.S. fourth graders aren’t reading at a proficient level? That’s not just a number—it’s a wake-up call. In my years of teaching, I’ve seen too many kids fall behind in reading. Many of them come from tough backgrounds, like the kids I’ve worked with in urban schools. But there’s hope. The right reading program can completely change a child’s future. But not all reading programs work equally well. If you’re a parent or teacher trying to help a struggling reader, the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and Orton-Gillingham are proven to work. Today, I’ll walk you through why they’re the best options for struggling readers and how they can turn things around.
The Real Struggles: Why Reading Isn’t Just a Simple Skill
Reading isn’t just about sounding out words. For many kids, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. I had a student named Jasmine who was in fifth grade but still couldn’t read more than a sentence. She wasn’t lazy or not trying—she just never had the right kind of help. Struggling readers face all sorts of challenges, like difficulty with phonics, decoding, and comprehension.
Struggling readers often have trouble:
- Breaking down words into sounds (phonemic awareness)
- Understanding how letters and sounds connect (phonics)
- Reading smoothly without stumbling (fluency)
- Grasping the meaning behind what they read (comprehension)
For these kids, more of the same old instruction won’t work. They need something that gets to the root of the problem. This is where the Science of Reading comes in. It’s backed by research and has proven to help kids who’ve struggled for years.
Why the Science of Reading Is the Gold Standard
What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is research-based. It looks at how the brain learns to read and what teaching methods work best. It focuses on teaching five critical skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This is the foundation every struggling reader needs.
When I first started learning about the Science of Reading, it was like a lightbulb went off. I realized that so many of my students had never been taught the basic building blocks. Instead, they were asked to guess words or memorize them. That doesn’t help kids who don’t understand the rules behind reading.
Why it works for struggling readers:
- It teaches step-by-step: Instead of jumping ahead, it starts with the basics—like understanding sounds and letters—and builds from there.
- It’s based on evidence: Tons of studies show that kids who are taught using the Science of Reading outperform those who aren’t.
- It addresses the real issues: It helps kids who struggle with phonics and decoding by giving them the tools to break down words.
Structured Literacy: The Backbone of Effective Reading Instruction
When I first heard the term Structured Literacy, I didn’t know what it meant. But when I dug deeper, I realized it was what my struggling students needed. Structured Literacy is a teaching approach that’s explicit, systematic, and sequential. It’s all about teaching the rules of language in a way that’s easy to understand.
Why Structured Literacy works for struggling readers:
- Explicit instruction: It teaches skills directly, so kids aren’t left guessing.
- Systematic: It follows a logical order, building on what the child already knows.
- Sequential: Each lesson builds on the previous one, so there’s no skipping ahead before the child is ready.
I had a student named Tyrese who just couldn’t grasp reading. He was in third grade and had been in “reading groups” since kindergarten, but nothing stuck. Once we switched to Structured Literacy, he began to connect sounds with letters and words. Suddenly, things made sense to him, and his progress was steady from there.
Orton-Gillingham: The Best Method for Kids with Dyslexia (and More)
If you’ve ever worked with kids who have dyslexia, you’ve probably heard of Orton-Gillingham (OG). It’s a method that’s been around for decades, and it’s still one of the best for teaching reading. OG is special because it’s multisensory—meaning it involves sight, sound, touch, and movement. This helps kids who struggle with phonics and decoding because it engages different parts of the brain.
Why Orton-Gillingham is so effective:
- It’s multisensory: Kids don’t just read; they also write, say, and sometimes even move while learning sounds and words.
- It’s individualized: No two kids are the same, and OG can be tailored to each student’s needs.
- It’s structured and sequential: OG follows a clear order, ensuring kids understand one concept before moving on to the next.
A student of mine, Justin, had severe dyslexia. He couldn’t read at all in second grade, and his confidence was shot. After starting OG, we used sand trays for writing letters, which helped him remember letter shapes and sounds. Slowly but surely, Justin learned to read, and by fourth grade, he was on track with his peers.
Breaking Down the Core Struggles of Struggling Readers
Phonemic Awareness
One of the biggest gaps struggling readers have is phonemic awareness. This is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. Without this skill, it’s hard for kids to decode words. The Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and Orton-Gillingham all place a big emphasis on phonemic awareness from the very beginning.
Decoding and Phonics
Decoding is another stumbling block. Many kids never really learn how to break words into sounds, which is why they struggle with new words. Programs like OG and Structured Literacy teach phonics directly, so kids learn the rules behind spelling and reading.
Fluency and Comprehension
Once kids can decode words, they need to build fluency—reading smoothly without getting stuck on each word. Then, they can move on to comprehension, which is understanding what they read. Structured Literacy and OG both help students build fluency by making sure they can decode words accurately before focusing on speed.
Debunking Myths About Struggling Readers and Reading Programs
Myth 1: Struggling Readers Just Need More Time
This is one of the most common misconceptions. I’ve had parents and even other teachers tell me, “They’ll catch up eventually.” But the truth is, without the right instruction, they won’t. Waiting only makes things worse. Early intervention with structured programs is key.
Myth 2: Phonics Is Only for Younger Kids
Some people think that phonics is something you only teach in kindergarten and first grade. But older students who struggle with reading often need to go back and relearn phonics. I’ve used phonics-based programs with kids in middle school, and the results have been amazing.
Myth 3: All Reading Programs Are the Same
Not all reading programs work for struggling readers. Programs that follow the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy are backed by research, while others may just be trendy or popular. It’s important to choose programs that are proven to work.
FAQs About Programs for Struggling Readers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can struggling readers catch up without intervention? | No, most struggling readers need structured, explicit instruction like Orton-Gillingham or Science of Reading-based programs to address their core difficulties. |
| What is the best age to start reading intervention? | Early intervention is best, but it’s never too late to help struggling readers with research-backed programs. |
| Can parents use Orton-Gillingham or structured literacy at home? | Yes, with the right resources, parents can implement these methods at home to support their struggling readers. |
| Is Orton-Gillingham only for dyslexia? | No, while it’s highly effective for dyslexic learners, Orton-Gillingham can help any struggling reader. |
Conclusion: The Right Programs Make All the Difference
If you’re working with a struggling reader, don’t lose hope. The Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and Orton-Gillingham are proven to work. They focus on the skills struggling readers need, like phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency. I’ve seen firsthand how these programs can turn things around for kids who felt like they’d never be able to read. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, these approaches offer the best shot at helping struggling readers succeed.
Ready to make a change? Explore our Orton-Gillingham resources and see how you can help your struggling reader succeed today!