As parents, the owners of Bright Sky Learning, LLC, were very alarmed at the ever-increasing low reading scores amongst U.S. students. Extensive research indicated that 50% of high school graduates read at only a 4^th grade reading level.  4^th grade!  That is essentially ILLITERATE. And, despite more money being poured into schools for special education, the literacy rate is not improving.

In 2000, we decided to jump into this ourselves to find or develop a solution.

We researched the various methods being employed to teach reading and discovered that the centuries-old method of systematic phonics, with comprehension (understanding words), had been replaced with other, newer ideas. But these newer ideas haven't seemed to be as successful as the "old fashioned" methods.

It is interesting to note that in 1981 the legendary children's book author, Dr. Seuss, demonstrated a keen awareness of the absurdness of, and destruction caused by, the whole-word teaching: "...they threw out phonics reading and went to a word recognition as if you're reading a Chinese pictograph instead of blending sounds or different letters. I think killing phonics was one of the greatest causes of illiteracy in the country."

At the same time we were researching successful "how to read" techniques, we discovered the National Reading Panel, commissioned by Congress, issued their comprehensive report and concluded (after reviewing over 100,000 studies on reading) exactly how reading should be taught. As it turns out, the Smart Way Reading and Spelling®  program is a model for their findings!

Smart Way is the only reading program that we are aware of that completely aligns to all of the points in the National Reading Panel report. Smart Way Reading and Spelling is a "back to basics" systematic phonics program for those learning to read, for those who need to learn English and it's also an excellent remedial program for older students and adults who need reading help and assistance.

No games, No gimmicks, Just RESULTS.^TM

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