Adolescent Literacy

Astonishingly high numbers of adolescents fail to attain the level of proficient reader: 68 percent of eighth-graders and 64 percent of 12th-graders, according to recent national statistics. Clearly, society cannot afford to ignore the tremendous literacy needs these numbers represent.

Our Strategic Instruction Model (SIM), developed through three decades of research, is a research-validated literacy program that works. SIM tools help adolescents learn how to learn, providing a means for them to achieve independence and success.

The interventions that make up SIM arose in response to the need for direct, explicit instruction for adolescents with learning disabilities, but the instructional methods are proven to benefit all students.

Current Studies

Projects under way at KU-CRL will build on our history of effective interventions to meet the ever-changing needs in today's classrooms.

• Xtreme Reading
• Fusion Reading

Articles

• We've been waiting for this moment...Are we ready? (Stratenotes, Vol. 12, No. 4) (pdf)
• A closer look: Closing the performance gap (Stratenotes, Vol. 13, No. 4) (pdf)
• Strong foundations: Elementary, middle school literacy (Strategram, Vol. 18, No. 5) (pdf)
• SIM brochure (pdf)

KUCRL Online Resources

Other Online Resources