The ACT/SAT Exams as College and Career Readiness Predictors

Every year, millions of high school students across the United States take either the ACT or the SAT exam. Not only are they part of the admissions criteria at most colleges and universities, they are both looked at as ways to predict college and career readiness. Let’s take a look at some of the specifics. … Continue reading “The ACT/SAT Exams as College and Career Readiness Predictors”


Choosing Books for Your Child

Reading is an important skill, one a child will use all through their entire life. It will not only help them in school, but it will also help them working their way through achievement tests, getting into college, graduating from college, and making a success of their chosen career. But how do you get a … Continue reading “Choosing Books for Your Child”


Interview with Fiona Quinn – Reader, Writer, and Homeschool Mom (Part 2)

[Editor’s note: This interview was conducted by Miriam Ruff to trace one person’s path as a reader; to demonstrate the relationship between writing and reading; and to convey the experiences of a homeschool mom teaching her children the love of reading. It has been edited slightly for length, fluency, and clarity. To read Part 1, … Continue reading “Interview with Fiona Quinn – Reader, Writer, and Homeschool Mom (Part 2)”


Interview with Fiona Quinn – Reader, Writer, and Homeschool Mom (Part 1)

[Editor’s note: This interview was conducted by Miriam Ruff to trace one person’s path as a reader; to demonstrate the relationship between writing and reading; and to convey the experiences of a homeschool mom teaching her children the love of reading. It has been edited slightly for length, fluency, and clarity.] MR: You are an … Continue reading “Interview with Fiona Quinn – Reader, Writer, and Homeschool Mom (Part 1)”


Using Games for Comprehension

Generally when we get individual students, or schools, onto the AceReader platform, we stress that improving your reading skills is not a competition. The only person you’re competing against is yourself, and the only scores that matter are those that show how much your speed, comprehension, and fluency improve as a result of your practice … Continue reading “Using Games for Comprehension”


Autism and Reading Comprehension – Interventions

Last week we talked in depth about studies documenting the difficulties children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) encounter with reading comprehension. Today, we’re going to look at a number of interventions designed specifically for the ASD student to help them overcome the limitations of their disorder and make progress learning to read for understanding. It … Continue reading “Autism and Reading Comprehension – Interventions”


Autism and Reading Comprehension – Overview

Autism, more commonly called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication skills, and cognitive processing. Most individuals with ASDs also demonstrate limited imaginations and a tendency toward repetitive patterns of behavior. Individuals within the spectrum display a range of strengths and weaknesses, and their intellectual abilities may … Continue reading “Autism and Reading Comprehension – Overview”


What is Reading Comprehension, and How Do We Assess It?

Reading comprehension is a hard concept to define, and an even harder one to assess. Though when asked, most people will say something on the order of “It means what you understand,” that’s really just substituting one undefined word for another. How can we get to the heart of the matter? According to Webster’s Collegiate … Continue reading “What is Reading Comprehension, and How Do We Assess It?”


Assessing Comprehension in the Real World

Our world has transitioned from a pen-and-paper to a multimedia experience. Instead of getting our information strictly from encyclopedias and books catalogued on note cards in the public library, we now look to the internet, social media, texts, videos, and online courses for content. What this means for reading is that we do not just … Continue reading “Assessing Comprehension in the Real World”


The Value of Reading to Kids at an Early Age

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents begin reading to their children as soon as they are born. While this may seem a little early to some, there is an increasing body of evidence that shows that kids who have early and regular exposure to books and stories – sometimes called “bookishness” – have … Continue reading “The Value of Reading to Kids at an Early Age”