Fall 2004 Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 3

Inside This Issue

• Online Anyone?
• In The News: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Fast and Effective Assessment
• Frequently Asked Questions: Expanding Multi-Sensory Involvement
• HEC Reading Horizons Makes Reading First List in Idaho and Louisiana
• HEC Advisory Council Spotlight
• Have you visited the "Teacher's Lounge" lately?
• We are presenting at the following conferences

Online Anyone?

The long awaited release of the Online versions of the Reading Horizons and Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself software was officially made on August 1, 2004. We have had many inquiries, over the past few years, asking when an Internet based version of our popular reading programs would be made available. Some of you understand the significant difference between Internet based products and network or stand-alone products, for those of you who don't - please read on.

These new Online versions of our software will deliver version 3.0 lesson material, which was officially released one year ago, but allow students to access it from virtually anywhere, breaking the boundaries imposed by physical locations. Online students will have 24/7 access to their lesson material, allowing them to take full advantage of the software, and dictate how quickly they complete the program. This will be most helpful for Reading Horizons customers.

The new Online versions of our software will allow students to access lesson material from virtually anywhere, breaking the boundaries imposed by physical locations.

Teachers and Administrators will also recognize and appreciate the flexibility of Online software, which will allow them to check student progress, add and edit records, and customize lesson material to improve student learning, from any computer that has an Internet connection. The District Administration component of our Online software will allow administrators to compare and contrast data from multiple locations as well as move student entries to the areas where demand is the greatest. They will also be able to "experience a school," which affords a snap shot of every school, class, and student in the system, improving communication and accountability.

For more details, call HEC Reading Horizons at 800-333-0054. We will happily assist you with pricing and implementation questions. Current customers, who elect to transition to the Online product, will receive upgrade discounts.

In The News: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Lawmakers have been working towards rewriting the IDEA, which was last updated in 1997. Separate bills have been passed in both the Senate and the House.

At issue are differences in discipline for students with disabilities, funding-authorization levels, and the definition of a "highly qualified" special education teacher. The NEA expressed concern that under the No Child Left Behind Act, Special Education teachers would not be able to meet the "highly qualified" standard.

Many organizations, including state level legislatures, schools' chiefs, boards of education, and directors of education are interested in influencing the bill. In June, they sent a letter to Congress expressing concern regarding data collection, monitoring and enforcement, teacher quality and other issues.

Even though the bills from both chambers are not far apart, it is unlikely that a final bill will be passed this year.

Fast and Effective Assessment

Are you interested in a quick and effective "Online" assessment tool that will help you discern the reading ability of each of your students? We are pleased to offer a modified version of our software Pre-test as part of the Teacher's Lounge on our website, and the best part...it's FREE. Those who are interested in using the assessment should go to www.readinghorizons.com and click on the "Teacher's Lounge" button. Then click the products and services tab and select "Online Assessment".

Our Pre-Test takes only a few minutes and provides a very accurate evaluation of the student's word recognition skills. Five nationally-recognized assessment were used in the compilation of the word lists, including the Slosson Oral Reading Test, San Diego Quick Assessment, WRAT, The Border Test of Reading - Spelling Patterns, and the Rapid Test.

Please take the time to review the instructions that are included as part of the Pre-Test; doing so will ensure that the test is administered correctly. Upon completing the Online Assessment you will be allowed to view the student's scores and print a copy for your records. Feel free to run the assessment as many times as you desire with as many students as need it. We hope that you will find this tool helpful and are pleased to make it available to you free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions: Expanding Multi-Sensory Involvement

Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself offers a wide variety of important, multi-sensory involvement for students. Initially, the course engages students in multi-sensory activity at the chalkboard. Using direct instruction techniques, teachers dictate individual phonemes, slides, words, and nonsense words. Students then repeat the information, and write it on lined boards. Auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic modalities have all been employed in the learning process!

Additionally, because each student's work is taking place right before her eyes, the teacher has immediate feedback and can supply appropriate intervention where needed.

This same multi-sensory activity is then duplicated in a different format when lessons are reinforced with either Reading Horizons or Discover Intensive Phonics interactive computer courseware. The software lessons not only reinforce the classroom instruction, but computers seem to somehow 'connect' certain students in ways that, as yet, we don't totally understand. Particularly for older students, the multi-sensory activity on the computer is invaluable.

Finally, the games and activities listed in the Enrichment section of each lesson are a must for young students. They provide a wide variety of engaging, multi-sensory involvement in phonemic awareness, letter-sound recognition, blending, most common word identification, phonologic memory, and spelling. If you haven't tried these multi-sensory activities, begin using them today! They provide a very necessary component to the total program.

Linda L. Eversole
Certified Trainer

HEC Reading Horizons Makes Reading First List in Idaho and Louisiana

HEC Reading Horizons (Discover Intensive Phonics) has been reviewed and accepted in Idaho and Louisiana and will now be placed on their Reading First lists. School districts in these states may now choose Discover Intensive Phonics as a program that meets high-quality, scientifically researched standards. Reading First funds are to be used to help schools and districts provide professional development in reading instruction, adopt and use reading diagnostics for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, implement reading curricula that are based on recent findings of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and provide reading interventions to ensure all students can achieve proficiency by 3rd grade. HEC Reading Horizons is proud to be part of the effort to help children in these states achieve that goal. Look for upcoming reports on acceptance for Reading First lists in additional states and feel free to let us know what your state is doing to address the needs of struggling readers.

HEC Advisory Council Spotlight

Janet Peterson
AJ Winter Elementary, Montpilier, Idaho

I started using the Intensive Phonics program more than seven years ago when Mr. Wolff, our superintendent brought it into our district and had every teacher go through the program one summer. I had never heard of the program before, but our superintendent wanted the best for the students in our district and he incorporated it into our curriculum.

The materials were paid for by the state of Idaho, and our principal brought all the materials each teacher needed through allotments given us for phonics. The state of Idaho implemented tests the students have to pass each year, and I feel this program helps them immensely.

I use the program the very first thing in the morning. After the introduction, we spend 30 minutes a day for 4 days a week on this program.

Program strengths:

* Tons of repetition --- this is a good teaching style for each student regardless of how smart they are. Every day helps the students because they are constantly reminded what we learned the day before. * It is a time in class when I have everybody's attention. I can see immediately if a student is on or off task. This is where I can see what the students know and what problems I need to address. * Between 90 -- 95% of the students I have are phonetically blending each year. * My students pass the Idaho Reading Indicator tests each year by 80 to 95% and are prepared to go on to the 1st grade. * The children have good self-esteem.

Discover Intensive Phonics has helped my students to improve their reading. For instance I had a little boy that knew some letters, no sounds, no blending, and no reading. He graduated from my class knowing all letters, sounds, blending, spelling, and could write small sentences.

Have you visited the "Teacher's Lounge" lately?

Did you know that you can earn points towards FREE products by participating in our "Reader Rewards" program? It's easy! Just go to www.readinghorizons.com and click on "Teacher's Lounge". Once there, you will need to fill out a short registration form, then click on "Reader Rewards." You will see several ways to earn points:

• Earn 5 points for every post in our "user forum." In this interactive forum you can ask questions about the program and products, make suggestions, a nd share your ideas and experiences with other teachers.
• Receive 20 points for clicking on "referral" and filling out the form. We ask you to let your friends know that we will be calling.
• Earn 25-200 points for writing a testimonial for us. The amount of points depends on the quality. You earn the most by sending data (i.e., before and after scores).
• Are you interested in participating in conferences or delivering Discover Intensive Phonics presentations? By joining the "Reading Club," you earn 100 points!

It is a great way to help spread the word. By joining, you will be added to our frequent users list and may also be invited to demo our product for others in your area and/or attend conferences. If you agree to do so in our behalf, you will be compensated for your time and travel.

You can see that we have tried to make it easy for those who help us spread the word to realize some great rewards. For only 500 points you can get a C500 Teacher's Kit FREE! Check out the point scale for additional products.

While in the "Teacher's Lounge," please take advantage of the "Online Tutorial." It is an excellent review. A navigation system allows you to dictate which concepts you want to review and in what order. You can exit and re-enter at any time an dreturn to the same point.

Because we believe in and appreciate our customers, we are happy to reward you for going the extra mile on our behalf. We are pleased with the success that you are experiencing and hope you will share it with others.

We are presenting at the following conferences:

IRA Regional Conference
October 8, 2004
Bismarck, ND

Closing the Gap
October 21-23, 2004
Henderson, MN

Keystone State Reading Association
October 24-27, 2004
Champion, PA

UEA
October 28-29, 2004
Salt Lake City, UT

AAACE Conference
November 3-6, 2004
Louisville, KY

Annual IDA Conference
November 3-6, 2004
Philadelphia, PA

WVRA
December 10, 2004
White Sulfur Springs, WV