Curriculum for Nonreaders Evaluated in Year-Long Study Conducted by Empirical Education; Research Presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
SAN ANTONIO, May 5, 2009 — Students using the PCI Reading Program achieved significantly higher sight-word assessment scores than students not using the program, according to a study conducted by Empirical Education. The company presented this research at the 2009 American Educational Research Association Annual Conference in San Diego this month. The session, entitled "Examining the Efficacy of a Sight-Word Reading Program for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities," demonstrated the success nonreaders achieved through the PCI Reading Program.
Approximately 85 percent of all individuals with learning disabilities have difficulties in the area of reading. To serve this population, PCI Education, the number-one provider of resources for students with special needs, created the PCI Reading Program. An alternative to traditional phonics-based approaches, the PCI Reading Program uses visual discrimination, the ability to quickly distinguish one letter from another, to increase students' sight-word vocabulary. The study by Empirical Education confirms the efficacy of the PCI Reading Program, linking the curriculum to higher sight-word assessment scores.
"We know from 18 years of building products for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities that to get real results, you need to design products specifically for these learners," said Lee Wilson, CEO and President of PCI Education. "We are pleased that this independent research shows meaningful progress for the students we serve and that it validates the expertise of our development team."
During the 2007-08 academic year, Empirical Education conducted a randomized control trial in two Florida districts, Brevard Public Schools and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Participating teachers were randomly divided into two groups: one using the PCI Reading Program Level I and a control group using the standard reading program. After one year, students using the PCI Reading Program had substantial success in learning sight words when compared with students in the control group. The difference between the two groups amounted to 21 percentile points.
In addition to quantitative findings, the study gathered qualitative data from surveys, observations and informal interviews. Overall impressions of the PCI Reading Program were extremely positive. Teachers showed high levels of satisfaction with the curriculum, and were excited to see their students retaining the sight words they learned through the program. Students using the PCI Reading Program were engaged, and enjoyed the lessons containing real-word, age-appropriate illustrations and contemporary characters.
"The PCI Reading Program works for my students who have had no prior success with any other reading program," said Leslie Brauer, teacher at Glasgow Middle School in Kentucky. "After using the program, my students were reading books to their family and friends, where before they could only guess about the story based on the illustrations. I am thankful that the PCI Reading Program has been developed, as we have waited too long for a ready-made product to serve this population of struggling students."
For more information on the PCI Reading Program, or to download a copy of the research summary, visit .
About Empirical Education
Empirical Education partners with and provides research services to school districts, research organizations, publishers and state and federal agencies, including Regional Education Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Education, to determine the effectiveness of programs. The mission of the company is to help school districts make cost-effective decisions about adopting new instructional and professional development programs. For more information, please visit http://www.empiricaleducation.com.
About PCI Education
PCI Education offers more than 7,500 instructional materials for a wide range of students with special needs, including significant or developmental disabilities such as autism. In addition, the company's products are used in English language learner and adult literacy classes, and to help students performing below grade level. Based in San Antonio, PCI Education has been helping educators lead students to success in school, at home and in the community since 1991. For more information, visit http://www.pcieducation.com or phone 800-594-4263.
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For more information:
Nicole Horne, PCI Education, 800-594-4263, ext. 126, Email
Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc., 608-839-9800, Email
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