Our Programs
What We Do
About US
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999, dedicated to enhancing literacy among students. Our student-centered approach is intensive, holistic, and multi-sensory, firmly rooted in phonics.
Student Assessment
Each student’s reading skills are evaluated by a Michigan certified teacher who writes a prescription to guide the student-tutor relationship.
Individualized Tutoring
Trained tutors support students as they work one-on-one, one hour a day, building on existing skills to unlock the power of reading.
Hands-On Learning
Students use a multisensory tile board, giving them a hands-on experience in their pursuit of reading.
Expanding Horizons
Story writing and publishing, fine arts projects, plus lessons from the lives of leaders build essential comprehension and vocabulary as we connect students to the world.
Our comprehensive program consists of key components:
At Beyond Basics, we take a tailored approach to literacy development:
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Evaluation:
We begin with a thorough assessment of each student's reading skills by certified teachers, utilizing the Woodcock Mastery Diagnostic Assessment III Edition. This assessment guides the creation of a personalized prescription, serving as a roadmap for the student-tutor relationship. -
Customized Instruction:
Students receive exclusive, one-on-one, phonics-based, multisensory literacy instruction designed to cater to their unique needs and learning styles. -
Tattum-Trained Tutors:
Our tutors are certified and Tattum-trained, dedicating one hour a day, five days a week, to working closely with students. They provide both in-person and online tutoring sessions, ensuring effective literacy support. -
Building on Existing Skills:
Our approach focuses on building upon students' existing skills, gradually unlocking their full reading potential. -
Curriculum:
We employ the Orton-Gillingham methodology, grounded in the science of reading, complemented by engaging in fine arts activities.
Remarkable Outcomes:
Our commitment to improving literacy has yielded remarkable outcomes:
- Students typically experience notable gains in reading proficiency within an average of just six weeks.
- Testimonials from educators, students, and parents highlight the newfound confidence gained through improved literacy, which positively impacts performance across all academic subjects.
- Older students report an expanded sense of possibilities, envisioning new avenues for self-expression and self-advocacy.
Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of these students and their communities. Together, we can empower students to unlock their potential and create brighter futures.
Literacy Solutions for Every Child
Partner schools identify the students to be assessed by a Beyond Basics certified teacher, who gives each student a “prescription.” Trained tutors build relationships with students, filling each prescription through one of our four literacy programs:
Our programs work intensively with children five days per week, an hour each day. Working one-on-one or in a small group with a dedicated, trained tutor, students learn the foundational skills to decode words, read fluently, and deepen comprehension. Our multisensory program is developmentally appropriate and includes dynamic fine arts and writing activities that cultivate curiosity and a love of lifelong learning. Students unlock the power of reading with the skills to thrive and take part in all that life has to offer.
Beyond Basics tutors come from diverse backgrounds, but share a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. These paid, trained professionals help smart, capable students unlock the power of reading. For more on becoming a Beyond Basics tutor, visit https://beyondbasics.org/get-involved/join-team.
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