One consequence of the pandemic is a measurable decline in reading proficiency across the nation, and many educators are opting to use their ESSER funds to correct this. Remaining ESSER funds, intended to mitigate learning loss due to the pandemic, must be allocated by September 30, 2024. Read Naturally programs are an ideal way to spend this use-it-or-lose-it funding to improve reading outcomes and overall academic success.  

Read Naturally's research-based reading programs are an ideal choice for maximizing ESSER funds to significantly improve reading outcomes for students in grades 1-12. Read Naturally programs are specifically developed to help students of all ages accelerate reading proficiency and confidence as quickly as possible. 

Why Read Naturally Programs Are the Ideal Choice for ESSER Funds

Advantages of Read Naturally programs include: 

  1. Evidence-Based: Read Naturally programs are grounded in research, backed by science, and use an evidence-based strategy to optimize student success. Aligned with the Science of Reading, these programs have greatly improved reading outcomes for over 30 years. 

  1. Comprehensive: Read Naturally programs address all five essential components of reading development, and materials are available for grades 1 through adult. Programs are also offered in Spanish. 

  1. Flexible Implementation: Read Naturally programs are easy to adapt to allow for differentiation and to meet each student's individual needs. They are also customizable for various instructional settings and group sizes. 

  1. Measurable Impact: Built-in progress monitoring tools report on student growth in a way that's highly motivating for students and crucial for teachers as they adjust instruction to maximize effectiveness. 

  1. Engaging and Interactive: Read Naturally programs include high-interest materials and engaging activities that ensure students of all ages remain motivated, build confidence, progress quickly, and develop a love for reading. 

  1. Robust Teacher Training: Read Naturally offers comprehensive support and professional development for educators, ensuring effective implementation and optimal student outcomes. Many of these training opportunities are free.

  1. Affordable: Read Naturally programs are intentionally more affordable than other reading tools, so that all students—not just those in well-funded schools—can reach their potential. 

Example Use Cases for Read Naturally Programs + ESSER Funds

Here are a few of the ways teachers have opted to use ESSER funds for Read Naturally programs:

  • Reading Intervention: Use the evidence-based Read Live or Read Naturally Encore program as an intervention for students who are reading below grade level. These programs prevent students from falling further behind and allow them to catch up quickly.  

  • Direct Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Instruction: Use GATE+ for effective, Science-of-Reading-aligned phonemic awareness and phonics instruction for whole classrooms or small groups. Because teachers do not need to be phonics experts in order to teach GATE+, which is fully scripted, all students will receive effective phonics instruction and develop a solid foundation from which to build their reading skills. 

  • Summer Learning or Tutoring Programs: Implement Read Live in summer school settings or tutoring programs to accelerate reading progress and prepare students for the upcoming school year. One Minute Reader Live, a component of the Read Live suite, is a guided, independent reading program that can also be used at home without teacher or parent support. 

  • Phonics Assessment and Intervention: Use Quick Phonics Screener to quickly identify which students need phonics support and which skills to target in a phonics intervention. Then use Read Live, Encore phonics levels, or GATE+ to deliver high-quality phonics instruction to the students who need it. 

  • Research-Based Spelling Instruction: Improve the spelling instruction in your school or district with Signs for Sounds. Many schools are using outdated spelling curriculum, and Signs for Sounds offers a research-based upgrade that also reinforces phonics skills. 

  • Professional Development: Use ESSER funds to attend one of our Hands-on Training Seminars or for additional training opportunities.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Learn more about ESSER funds and why Read Naturally programs are the ideal solution here on our website. If you have questions about using your remaining ESSER funds on our programs, our customer service team is here to support you. Please get in touch--we're always happy to help!