Our unique, holistic, intensive, multi-sensory, proven curriculum makes it possible for low-literacy students to become proficient readers. Our students work one-on-one with tutors, five days per week in order to achieve proficiency.

At the outset of the tutoring process, the Woodcock Reading Mastery (WRMT III) test is administered to all students. This intake test allows us to determine the severity of a student’s needs. Once we have the results, a “prescription” is created for the student. From there, we can create a unique literacy program for the student based on their needs in order to guarantee success.

As a social issue, literacy is the pathway to equity. Our work proves that our national low literacy levels are a solvable problem. Investing in literacy intervention has a high rate of return for communities and economies.

On an individual level, for each and every student, literacy brings increased personal opportunity. Students reading at their own grade level experience tangibles like education achievement and future income, as well as intangibles like self-confidence and joy.

The Beyond Basics tutor is trained and tested in our 3-pronged literacy intervention curriculum, including the Orton-Gillingham and Tattum methods. Supported by the input of certified teachers and program staff, these paid and vetted professionals provide daily, direct, one-on-one instruction, tracking student progress.

While we appreciate all efforts toward building a strong literacy ecosystem, we are especially proud of our dedicated professionals who do the intense work of individualized phonics and phonemics lessons without losing sight of the joy and pleasure of reading.

In 2016, Dr. D. Carl Freeman of Wayne State University and Dr. Hilary Horn Ratner conducted a blind study in order to analyze the effectiveness of the Beyond Basics programs. This is a direct quote from Dr. Freeman in his results report:

“The data are unequivocal. Students who participate in the Beyond Basics reading program made more than twice the progress in reading comprehension as was made by the control group, and passage comprehension increased more than threefold.”

As well, the outpouring of positive feedback from students, parents, teachers, and principals describing how the program has changed a student's life for the better, supports and validates the scientific results. As one student said, "Now that I can read, I want to pay it forward, and make sure the next generation can, too."

Individuals schools and other partner organizations bring our program to students through a variety of funding sources, including public, private, business, and philanthropic dollars.

For more than 20 years, Beyond Basics has been committed to evidence-based literacy interventions. We know that students with a broad range of knowledge, experience, and opportunities for self-expression are building roads for comprehension, improving their literacy outcomes.

The arts and enrichment activities we include and design for our curriculum are essential, and when combined with our Orton-Gillingham and Tattum-based instruction, students thrive.

The program does not have an age limit. We have worked with students from kindergarten through older citizens.

If you are interested in enrolling your loved one in our program, please contact us at info@beyondbasics.org or (248)-250-9304.