McGraw-Hill Launches New SRA Open Court Reading, Empowering Educators to Adapt Literacy Instruction to Diverse Needs

NEW YORK, July 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill, a learning science company, today announced the expansion of two key language arts and reading programs with significantly upgraded editions of SRA Open Court Reading and SRA FLEX Literacy, to enhance the school curriculum for K-12 reading and language arts.

"Literacy is a critical cornerstone of what we do. These new editions are an essential part of our continuum of differentiated programs across all learning profiles that empower educators to adapt literacy instruction to address diverse student needs, so each student feels confident and prepared for college and a career," said Christine Willig, president of McGraw-Hill's K-12 group. "The expanded offerings within our SRA Open Court Reading and SRA FLEX Literacy programs further that goal by using a combination of research-based pedagogy for every level with adaptive technology tools to help students develop a literacy mindset and gain the proficiency to meet rigorous standards and assessments."

SRA Open Court Reading:  Comprehensive Core Curriculum

McGraw-Hill's SRA Open Court Reading, a program that advances young students to meet state standard assessments and to become lifelong readers, now offers digital delivery, enhanced professional development options for teachers, and international availability to provide schools with a highly effective early reading curriculum for core instruction. With more than 50 years of proven instructional integrity behind it and offering different versions aligned with Common Core State Standards and state standards, Open Court Reading provides a core reading program that enables instructors to tailor literacy instruction to meet the needs of every K-3 students.

Through effective instruction and engaging activities such as wordplay, songs, rhymes and digital games, instructors can ensure that their students learn the phonics skills they need to become proficient readers across all subject areas. Students first acquire foundational skills through strong phonics instruction, and then learn to read with comprehension, including re-reading challenging sections for a deeper inquiry into organizational structure and author techniques. The program is largely used in public school districts, private, parochial and charter schools and includes instruction in the five keys areas of reading, differentiated instruction in every lesson, English Learner support, strong inquiry and higher-order thinking, and robust writing instruction.

Open Court Reading delivers:

• Proven instructional integrity based on research and classroom experience to help students cultivate a literacy mindset
• Real-time assessment to ensure each child receives the attention he or she deserves
• Unparalleled partnership of support and professional development to help instructors address diverse students needs
• Adaptive technology tools to increase engagement and help students master vocabulary in every subject

"Based on learning research and efficacy studies, Open Court Reading provides the predictability and structure that students need to learn reading and critical thinking," said Marsha Roit, Ed.D., author of Open Court Reading. "Open Court Reading helps students build foundational literacy skills and foster in-class discussions."

SRA FLEX Literacy: Comprehensive Reading and Language Arts Intervention

SRA FLEX Literacy is a powerful, flexible, data-driven intensive ELA intervention program that combines the best of computer-based and teacher-led instruction with collaborative learning to provide struggling readers and writers the ability to return to regular classrooms, and provides them with the skills they need for college and career readiness. Released in 2011, McGraw-Hill's intervention reading program is designed for students in grades three and above who are reading below their grade level by two or more years. Now implemented at public, charter and private schools nationwide, FLEX Literacy is a blended and personalized learning program that offers Digital, Print and Project experiences together with assessment and progress monitoring to maximize student outcomes by helping instructors precisely tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of every student.

With the newly upgraded version, instructors can support Special Education and Response to Intervention curricula to help students rejoin their regular classrooms and:

• Access progress reporting on a student, classroom and school level, including information about when a student is ready to join on-level classroom reading
• Track student progress toward mastery of the Common Core and state standards
• Help students build stronger foundational skills to decode and encode words
• Incorporate a stronger writing component into lesson plans
• Gain tips and mini-lessons for English learners
• Offer three new projects plus a capstone, where students choose their own subject for a culminating end-of-year project

Previously a two-year program, FLEX Literacy has expanded by adding a third year to help students return to their regular classroom. FLEX Literacy also raised its Lexile score range to 1,300 to accommodate additional students at the secondary level.

The new editions of FLEX Literacy and Open Court Reading are available now. Flexible implementation of the programs includes digital-only, or print and digital options to accommodate all school districts in the goal of advancing students toward literacy achievement. To learn more about Open Court Reading and FLEX Literacy, visit the McGraw-Hill booth #1012 at the International Literacy Association (ILA) Conference in St. Louis, July 18-20, 2015. To schedule a literacy strategy session with a representative, visit MHEonline.com/see results for FLEX Literacy and MHEonline.com/leading literacy for Open Court Reading.