Empower.
Overview of the Empower Reading Program
The Empower Reading Program, developed by SickKids (The Hospital for Sick Children) in Toronto, is a research-based literacy intervention designed for struggling readers in upper elementary, middle, and secondary grades. Unlike traditional phonics-based approaches, Empower focuses on teaching cognitive strategies that help students become independent and strategic readers.
Key Features of Empower
Cognitive and Strategic Approach:
Students are explicitly taught five core decoding strategies to tackle unfamiliar words:
Sounding Out: Breaking words into phonemes.
Peeling Off: Removing prefixes or suffixes to identify the root word.
Rhyming: Using known rhymes and patterns to decode new words.
Vowel Alert: Identifying and correctly pronouncing vowel combinations.
Spy Strategy: Using context to infer the meaning of a word.
Metacognitive Focus:
Students learn to monitor their own reading and choose the most effective strategies for different situations.
Promotes self-awareness and confidence in problem-solving.
Explicit and Systematic:
The program follows a structured format where strategies are modeled, practiced, and applied to real-world reading tasks.
Students practice decoding words, sentences, and passages in a gradual, scaffolded manner.
Comprehension Integration:
Reading comprehension is incorporated into lessons to ensure students not only decode words but also understand the text.
Collaborative Learning:
Students engage in small-group instruction, providing opportunities for peer learning and support.
Target Audience
Empower is specifically designed for:
Students in Grades 4 and up who are significantly behind in reading skills.
Struggling readers who have not responded to earlier phonics-based interventions.
Older students who feel frustrated or disengaged with reading.
Why Empower Works
The Empower program is effective because it:
Teaches Strategies, Not Just Rules: Students are equipped with flexible tools to tackle a wide variety of reading challenges.
Builds Independence: Learners gain the confidence to read on their own without constant teacher support.
Promotes Engagement: The structured yet interactive approach helps re-engage older students who may have lost interest in reading.
Backed by Research: Developed through years of study at SickKids, Empower is grounded in cognitive science and evidence-based practices.
Program Structure
Duration: The program typically runs for 110 lessons, delivered over 4-6 months.
Format: Typically it is in small-group sessions led by trained instructors.
Materials: Includes teacher manuals, student workbooks, and a variety of reading passages.
Outcomes
Research shows that Empower improves:
Decoding Skills: Students can accurately and efficiently decode unfamiliar words.
Reading Fluency: Increased speed and accuracy in reading.
Comprehension: Better understanding of text.
Confidence and Engagement: Students feel empowered (true to the program’s name) to tackle reading challenges.
Empower Reading bridges the gap for older struggling readers by focusing on strategic thinking, metacognition, and comprehension—empowering students to become lifelong readers.
