A Guide to Developmental Reading Programs

After years of education, the ability to easily read, digest, and comprehend content may still be a struggle for some learners. Suppose learners identify that they lack in vocabulary, comprehension, or other reading skills. In that case, a developmental reading program can prepare the learners for the demands of college classwork or for advancing in a chosen trade industry or career field. A developmental reading program helps learners catch up if they lack the basics of reading-based skills.

A developmental reading program is a remedial instruction in reading skills and strategies. It can take an average reader and extend their skills and respect for reading and extend the knowledge about subjects to which they are drawn. A good developmental reading program teaches pupils strategies they can utilize when reading resource books, articles, textbooks, and other sources to expand their education. It will prepare the learner for college coursework or other higher education pursuits.

Unfortunately, several high school learners graduate without the good reading, comprehension, and vocabulary skills they need to matriculate to college or excel in the workforce. Additional reading skills can be obtained through a college class or a community-based supplemental reading program.

A good developmental reading program’s foundation is to help learners identify and learn to utilize text features. It will help prepare a learner to approach a text by scanning, questioning, reading, reciting, and reviewing a passage or chapter. The educator will educate learners on how to first scan a text and then read titles, subtitles, and accompanying photo captions to learn the text’s basic knowledge. The learner should be better able to understand and remember particular points of the text. Rudimentary reading capabilities are necessary before a learner begins a developmental reading program, such as basic vocabulary, decoding, and phonemic skills.

The training and experience that a developmental reading program provides can propel a learner into future success in college and their chosen career field. The program should be utilized if a learner is slightly behind in reading comprehension or has low college entrance exam scores. College classes can require substantial amounts of time digesting info in piles of textbooks. By addressing the issue early, a learner can navigate their college career with greater ease.

A college usually requires that a learner complete a developmental reading course within the first semester or by the end of the first educational year. They may not count toward the classes needed to graduate in your specified major. Discuss compensation or learner aid with the admissions office or an academic advisor if you need to take remedial reading outside of the classwork you need to complete your degree. There may be developmental reading programs provided at no cost via a church, community-based charity, or another local outlet.