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Testimonials

 We want to thank all our partner teachers, administrators, school districts and organizations. See what they are saying about working with us.

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21861 Grand Avenue Wildomar, CA 92595
951-253-7430 phone      
Principal: Karen Gaither 
Asst. Principal:  Stacey Jo Loughran                                                          
November 1, 2014


Initially we implemented the Reading Plus 4.0 program on a smaller scale at Brown Middle School, not realizing the tremendous impact it would have on our students and staff!  The reaction from my staff and students was so overwhelming, that we decided to implement the Reading Plus 4.0 program school-wide and start what we are calling “Power Reading”.
Reading Plus 4.0 is unlike any other program in that it addresses the UNSEEN and UNHEARD aspects of silent reading.  
As we all know, in school, silent reading is tested the most but addressed the least.  
After years of using the same reading programs I saw a tremendous need for a program that was going to be motivating for students and at the same time a program that was able provide the tools to significantly increase reading comprehension levels.  
Reading Plus 4.0 well-exceeded my expectations!  In just the first few weeks we have witnessed significant changes in students’ attitude towards reading as well as reading level gains.  
For the first time I have found something different that I know will change the way students read and ultimately change their lives!


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May 30, 2015

Once again, I find that I must let you know how thankful I am for the Reading Plus program, and for administrators who see the value in implementing it. We are already seeing documentable growth in those students who are using the program.
 This year at CPMA, we had the program for about 6 weeks before school was out for the summer, and now I am running the program over the summer. We are seeing a steady upward trend in reading skills and vocabulary with virtually every student. Those without any growth are not using the program with integrity, made clear by a quick look at the graphs and charts available for tracking progress.
 From the teacher perspective, our staff started out willing, but skeptical.  During our final planning session, the day after school was out, teachers reported they were pleased with the easy interface, clear reports, and support they received. No one has voiced any skepticism now and are looking forward to implementing it all year in 2015-16.  This is a user-friendly, powerful silent reading program with so many forms of data collection and reports and produces results so quickly, I wonder why it is not in every school. I love this program!
 Kindest Regards,
 Pam Holzman
 TEXT or call (619).729.5803

 Heyentah Pamela Holzman, M.Ed.; E.T.; PRSE
 Creative and Performing Media Arts Middle School
 5050 Conrad Ave
 San Diego, CA 92117
 (V) (858) 800-5550
 Ext: 80-307-2277
 (F) (859) 800-5024

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James Workman Middle School                           
69-300 30th Ave.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8540

2/16/15


Reading Plus has improved my students’ fluency and comprehension skills.  Because of the program’s abilities to continuously monitor student performance using both reading rate measures and responses to comprehension questions as well as using a variety of instructional formats and scaffolds to further match individualized needs and rates of progress, my students are able to progress through levels of reading challenges based on several factors. In addition, students are able to monitor their progress and are held accountable by being able to read passages at their current levels with grade-appropriate rates and good comprehension before they can advance to subsequent levels.
 Reading Plus provides students with a practice environment that uniquely addresses his or her individual silent reading development needs at any moment in time during the intervention period.  Lastly, I have received nothing but positive feedback from parents as well.  They love the fact that they can have their child use the program at home and access their progress at any time.
     Ideally, I believe we should incorporate the Reading Plus program at our site to assure reading success among all of our students.  The data from my classes clearly reflect the effectiveness of this program.


Tara Baldwin
Educational Specialist


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July 20, 2015

I wanted to thank you again for extending the pilot time of Reading Plus so that my students during summer school could participate and be able to see the growth in reading that one can make, even in a short time. Currently, there are students from six different high schools in the SDUSD in my summer class who are using the program. Some have already moved up a level and are celebrating their success.

 Although I was only able to use the program at Mira Mesa High for about six weeks, I was extremely pleased with the results. My colleague Debbie Debolt, from Morse High, had encouraged me to contact you earlier in the year and raved about the program, I just did not have the time to learn the ins and outs of another program on top of everything else I was implementing.  I only wish I would have contacted you sooner.  In the short amount of time that the students were enrolled in the Reading Plus Program, it was obvious that during the reading time they were engaged in the reading and the activities, and surprisingly, excited about reading. Even the students that all year had difficulty staying on task, were focused.  In addition, I was able to set up the class and manage the program by simply watching the videos on your training site. It was a win- win situation - and the proof came in the data that the students generated in their reading results! Furthermore, the writing application that correlates with the reading selections is directly related to common core standards and the students have to respond in the same format that they will see on the smarter balanced assessments. Having observed my students during the testing this year, I believe the program will absolutely help train students to build their independent reading skills and stamina - something I do daily in the classroom - but can be enhanced through what Reading Plus has to offer.

Sincerely,
Marsi Holmes Mira Mesa High School 858-566-2262 ext. 4602 EL Coordinator/ESL Teacher

TESTIMONIAL
PALM SPRINGS USD


Implementing Reading Plus in middle school classrooms has provided teachers the opportunity for true differentiation.  When 150 students pass through your classroom each day, it seems impossible to meet the needs of every single one of them.  However, Reading Plus meets students where they are and provides scaffolds and motivation to get them reading at grade level through engaging passages and vocabulary instruction.  

It also provides for small group and one-on-one time.  As a class works on Reading Plus, teachers are able to pull small groups and individual students over for targeted instruction.   Through this blended learning model, I have seen growth in many middle school students.  Moreover, I have seen the confidence and motivation of students increase as they set Reading Plus goals, monitor their progress, and meet those goals.  Reading Plus continues to update its program and add to its numerous resources, and I am excited to see what this new year will offer.

Sincerely,
R. Noelle Gutierrez
Secondary Literacy Coach
Palm Springs Unified School District
psusdliteracy.com
760.219.2021

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6/11/2015

Dear Pamela,
Thank you so much for allowing me to pilot the Reading Plus program.  After eight weeks of use, I am completely sold for many, many reasons.
First, the progress made was incredible.  Each student was able to track their own growth and watch their success.  Parents were also very impressed and actually requested their own account so that they too could improve their reading skills.  
Second, the students enjoyed the program, with many requesting extra readings.  Allowing them to control their reading choice and activity is essential for motivation.  With each level award, new readings were added and students began to recommend readings to each other.  
Third, the data produced helped build my instruction, individually and as a class.  I could instantly see which Common Core Standards needed to be re-addressed and help each student with specific test-taking skills.  
Finally, teaching ESL in a multi-level class is difficult, and finding a reading program that is individually tailored to meet each students’ needs was impossible.  Reading Plus allowed each intermediate and advanced ESL student to advance from their own level, read at their own pace, and succeed like never before.
I am thrilled with your reading program and want to thank you once again.  

Sincerely,

Deborah DeBolt
Teacher
Morse High School, San Diego USD

Thank you for contacting me with regard to Reading Plus. Our usage of Reading Plus began as a supplement in our basic skills class, but we have expanded it to support strengthening of reading skills in our high school equivalency program, both direct instruction classes and distance learning classes. Recently, I have started using it as a boot camp intensive  use (2 hours daily for a few weeks) to strengthen the reading of our high school diploma students who enroll with lower reading assessment scores. I would like to see it expanded to higher level ESL students, too.

In our high school equivalency classes, the instructors have aligned the direction instruction with Reading Plus vocabulary and critical reading activities that are off-line print outs. This has greatly enhanced the critical thinking skills of our students and aligns with the reading expectations with our partner colleges.

In terms of usage, our students who attend regularly have on-site and off-site access. We encourage use at home, so students accelerate their learning capacity. However, it might prove challenging to expect a student to be on the  program eight hours a day. As an integral component of a blended learning program, it is terrific.

I hope this information is of assistance to you. If the adult ed administrators at Copper Mountain College would like to ask me any follow up questions, please share with them my email. Cuyamaca College, one of our consortium partners, is currently piloting Reading Plus in its developmental reading course.

Sincerely,

Susan G. Taylor, M.A.
Academic Program Specialist
Grossmont Adult School
sgtaylor@guhsd.net

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 Phone : 619-392-6739
Fax : 1-866-411-4950
    Address:
     PMD Group
      2801 B Street #187
      San Diego, CA 92102-2208

Contact us to see how we can help you and your education programs!

  • The PMD Group
  • Reading Plus
    • Elementary
    • Secondary
    • Post Secondary
    • Research Briefs >
      • Elementary Research Briefs
      • Secondary Research Briefs
      • Post Secondary Research Briefs
    • Reading Plus Initial Teacher Training >
      • Reading Plus Data Coaching
      • Reading Plus Teacher Training Webinars
    • Reading Plus Initial Administrator Training >
      • Reading Plus Administrator Follow-Up Training
      • Reading Plus Administrator Training Webinars
    • Reading Plus Southern California
    • Reading Plus Videos
    • Advisors
  • Symphony Math
    • Symphony Math Screener
    • Symphony Math Benchmarker
    • Symphony Math Instruction
    • Symphony Videos
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact