News

Simplifying the science of reading, Reading Horizons Discovery provides a next-generation foundational reading curriculum with real-time data to differentiate instruction

Reading Horizons, a company committed to empowering educators to eradicate illiteracy, announced today the next generation of Reading Horizons Discovery®. The Reading Horizons multisensory method, paired with a new tech-enabled lesson delivery system, helps educators deliver effective, science-based reading instruction.

The new Reading Horizons Discovery provides engaging, accessible, grade-specific lessons to guide K–3 students in mastering foundational reading skills. Mastery is supported by integrating phonemic awareness and phonics through a simplified scope and sequence. The new program provides instant and actionable data to inform instruction, building student confidence and momentum to become proficient readers. 

“It gives me immediate feedback and immediate data,” said pilot user Crystal Champion, a first-grade teacher in North Carolina. “The data is there as soon as the Skill Checks are done, and I’m able to plan my instruction according to the data.”

The new Reading Horizons Discovery also automatically groups students based on mastery for small-group instruction and provides extension and intervention lessons to support differentiated instruction. To reduce teacher prep time, training videos are embedded in every lesson. 

“Reading Horizons Discovery will allow me to save time,” said pilot user Heather Henry, a first-grade teacher in Alabama. “With only one press of a button on the iPad, everything is available without having to search through numerous computer programs. It’s a teacher’s dream.”

By helping teachers pace lessons, monitor student mastery, and ensure instructional equity, the new Reading Horizons Discovery empowers educators to teach foundational reading skills that students can apply in all subjects.

“With an intentional focus on helping students become proficient readers by third grade, we’re committed to providing teachers with turnkey lessons that put our proven method into action,” said Tyson Smith, the CEO of Reading Horizons. “This new program continues our mission to provide every student consistent, engaging, and effective foundational reading instruction.”

Educators and education leaders can learn more about Reading Horizons Discovery here.

About Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons empowers educators to eradicate illiteracy because they believe literacy is opportunity. For over 40 years, the Reading Horizons simplified method has aligned with the evolution of the science of reading and evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate reading difficulties. Reading Horizons shows up as a supportive partner working shoulder-to-shoulder with educators to fight illiteracy, backed by their supportive partner guarantee. They have supported more than 50,000 educators to help every student, regardless of their learning differences. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons. For more information, please visit www.readinghorizons.com.

Landing at number 2,419, Reading Horizons became one of the fastest-growing companies in America by focusing on the science of reading

(SALT LAKE CITY) August 18, 2022 – Reading Horizons, a leading provider of tech-enabled foundational reading instruction for K-12 schools and districts, has been named one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.

Reading Horizons has walked shoulder to shoulder with educators in its mission to eradicate illiteracy for nearly 40 years. Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons, stated, “The best news here is that more and more educators are engaging their students with a simple and systematic method of teaching reading. They are helping all students reach reading proficiency no matter their learning differences, creating lifelong readers using research-based practices.”

Data shows that 64% of students are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, and 75% of those students will never catch up. More than a reflection of the company’s growth, this award is a testament to the efficacy of Reading Horizons’ commitment to boosting reading proficiency, equipping teachers, and captivating students. Reading Horizons’ science-based, tech-enabled, foundational reading program has supported more than 50,000 educators to help all of their students read proficiently by the end of third grade.

Similar to the Forbes 500 list, but excluding publicly traded companies, the Inc. 5000 draws attention to one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy, independent small businesses, and highlights those organizations that are rising to the top of the field. Sitting in the top 50% of the list at number 2,419, Reading Horizons earned its spot by increasing revenue growth by over 100% and an additional 124% increase in helping students build a solid reading foundation. 

It all began with one brilliant and devoted educator who developed a powerful method to teach reading. Reading Horizons carries on the legacy of Charlotte Lockhart and will continue helping students grow as proficient readers for years to come. Visit readinghorizons.com to learn more.

About Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons supports educators with powerful tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. For nearly 40 years, the Reading Horizons method has aligned with the evolution of the science of reading, empowering educators with evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate reading difficulties. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons. For more information, please visit readinghorizons.com.

CEO Tyson Smith Announces Trisha Thomas Named to the Company’s Newly Created Position of President for Reading Horizons

Kaysville, Utah, July 20, 2022—Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons, has announced that Trisha Thomas, currently the company’s Chief Revenue Officer, has been named President. The announcement comes after a period of exceptional growth for Reading Horizons. It reflects the company’s long-standing mission to empower educators to eradicate illiteracy because of its belief that literacy is opportunity.

Thomas joined Reading Horizons in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer. Her career includes 25 years of K–12 experience with executive leadership positions at Illustrative Mathematics, first as Vice President of Professional Services and then as Chief Customer Officer. Before those roles, she served in key marketing leadership positions for Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, eInstruction/Turning Technologies, and Discovery Education. Throughout her career, Thomas has worked extensively in brand strategy, revenue growth, and leading teams that significantly impact educators and students. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Management and Marketing from the University of Maryland. She earned her MBA with a concentration in Marketing from the Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School. 

In making this announcement, Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons, noted, “Our rapid growth has underscored the need to expand our leadership structure. I will remain as CEO and concentrate specifically on setting the company’s continued expansion initiatives, enriching our company culture, and supporting our education market partners. In her new role as President, Trisha Thomas will manage our business operations, execute our growth strategies, serve our growing customer base, and continue to support and inspire our leadership teams.” Thomas echoed Smith’s comments adding, “64 percent of third-grade students are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, and many of those students will not catch up. We see each of these students and work to make a different trajectory for them. This motivates us to bring our value to work each day and further our mission to eradicate illiteracy. It is an honor to be in this position to help make a difference for our team players at Reading Horizons and expand our impact on literacy.”

About Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons supports educators with powerful tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. For nearly 40 years, the Reading Horizons® method has aligned with the evolution of the science of reading. The company empowers over 50,000 educators with evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate reading difficulties. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons. For more information, please visit www.readinghorizons.com.

The new Sound City phonemic awareness component includes engaging lessons and classroom materials to improve K–2 students’ ability to build momentum toward reading proficiency.

(SALT LAKE CITY) May 25, 2022 – Reading Horizons, a leading provider of tech-enabled foundational reading instruction for K-12 schools and districts, today announced the expansion of its flagship solution, Reading Horizons Discovery®, with the addition of Sound City. This expansion aligns with the science that informs reading development and empowers teachers to help K–2 students connect speech to print and decode and spell words with greater proficiency.

“Teachers need tools that will help them bring the science of reading into their classroom. Sound City was designed to add momentum to the development of decoding and spelling proficiency so all students can read fluently before 3rd grade,” said Stacy Hurst, chief academic officer of Reading Horizons. “Sound City’s instructional materials assess and enhance students’ learning at all stages of foundational reading development.”

Sound City includes:

• Five-minute, daily phonemic awareness lessons that follow the gradual release of responsibility model and align to National Reading Panel recommendations;
• 44 direct-instruction lessons; one for each phoneme in the English language, that align to Reading Horizons phonics lessons; 
• Interactive sound wall software that allows students to record and photograph their own sound articulation to build personal digital sound walls; and
• Classroom instructional materials, including wall posters, portable sound wall cards, and a phoneme card set to support teacher instruction.

Sound City provides skill assessments, review activities, and games to ensure student mastery, retention, and engagement. Early adopters’ reviews have been enthusiastic. “I love that the sound wall lessons create a bridge between my phonemic awareness and phonics instruction,” said Lindsay Kemeny, a 2nd-grade teacher at Davis School District in Utah.

About Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons supports educators with powerful tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. For nearly 40 years, the Reading Horizons method has aligned with the evolution of the science of reading, empowering over 50,000 educators with evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate reading difficulties. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons. For more information, please visit readinghorizons.com.

Using the science of reading, educators will have the tools they need to get all students on track in their reading journey.

Sixty-four percent of students nationwide are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade. If things stay the same, 75 percent will never catch up. All teachers should have access to effective, evidence-based reading instruction to help students build a solid foundation for reading success. 

Our mission at Reading Horizons is to increase educators’ potential to reach every learner with engaging, high-impact instruction, regardless of learning differences and language barriers. Using the science of reading, here’s how educators can improve students’ reading scores in one school year. 

What We Know about the Science of Reading

According to the National Reading Panel, word recognition instruction should be

1. explicitly taught by the teacher;
2. systematically planned and organized; and
3. sequenced in a fashion that moves from simple to complex. 

Structured Literacy is systematic and cumulative, explicit, and diagnostic. It makes all the components of effective literacy come together for the student. If educators factor in quality comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, phonics/decoding, and phonemic awareness lessons into their curriculum, their students will have greater reading success.

What to Look For in a Science of Reading Curriculum 

A first step to helping students reach reading proficiency is to provide educators with resources that reduce stress and ensure quality. With proper materials, educators can focus more on teaching. You can set educators up for success by doing the following:

• Making sure they have all necessary materials to effectively implement the program 
• Providing sufficient training and coaching, especially during the first year of implementation
• Supporting teachers in accessing online resources and providing the opportunity for collaborative learning 
• Providing sufficient time for teachers to implement Structured Literacy in the course of their daily schedule 

Using a Structured Literacy instructional framework that explicitly teaches word identification and decoding strategies based on the science of reading is crucial to effective reading practice. Students can practice using Orton-Gillingham principles on sound-symbol association and syllable instruction—ensuring an explicit, systematic, sequential, and multisensory framework. 

The newly expanded Reading Horizons Discovery® supports educators with science-based, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency.

We love to encourage positive feedback for our students on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. Using the science of reading, educators will have the tools they need to improve their students’ reading skills and have a strong foundation to continue their reading practice after third grade.

Best Practices for Implementing the Reading Horizons® Method

An important part of the science of reading is using informal and formal assessments to guide instruction. Informal assessment can occur through observation, lesson check-ups, student work samples, and more. Formal assessments such as diagnostic, formative, and summative can also inform classroom instruction. Daily instruction driven by data from formal assessments, informal assessments, and progress monitoring help educators teach skills to student mastery and give targeted instruction to students who need extra practice. When students have automaticity with the skills, they have cognitive bandwidth available for comprehension.

Another aspect of effective reading instruction is phonological awareness, which encompasses tasks related to words, syllables, onset-rime, and phonemic awareness. A quality lesson includes the practice of manipulating the sound structure of words. 

Quality practice also includes a systematic and cumulative instructional design. The educator increases student autonomy and mastery by gradually releasing the responsibility onto the student. Teachers can implement this by the “I Do, We Do, You Do” practice, spending a little time each day to review concepts, instruct, dictate, and then transfer the knowledge in a way students will take into their own hands for comprehension and eventual mastery. 

Decades of research have formed the science of reading and the science of learning. Our full-time job is to translate findings and apply them to teaching and learning. That way, we can continually equip teachers with the field’s latest and greatest reading discoveries. After you’ve had a chance to explore the program, let’s chat.

Yvette Manns, M.Ed., is a former elementary teacher, instructional coach, children’s book author, and education consultant. She now works as an education specialist at Reading Horizons. She can be reached at yvette.manns@readinghorizons.com.

Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons 

Reading Horizons CEO Tyson Smith attended the ceremony of Governor Spencer Cox signing Utah bill S.B. 127 into law.

On March 23, 2022, Governor Cox signed into law S.B. 127, which provides $9.4 million for one-time spending and another $9.6 million for ongoing support to improve early literacy outcomes and increase third-grade reading scores across the state. This much-needed investment in our state’s literacy programs comes with an ambitious goal: ensuring that 70% of Utah students reach third-grade level proficiency on state-administered reading assessments by July 1, 2027. 

While 95% of third graders nationwide are cognitively capable of reading proficiently, data shows that 64% simply are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Of this 64%, an estimated 1.7 million of these third-graders may never catch up. That impacts the trajectory of their lives permanently and it impacts our communities and strength as a nation. In Utah, while reading achievement has been slightly ahead of the national average, 50% of our third-grade students are not reaching grade-level proficiency according to the Utah State Board of Education. As a parent, a community member, and the CEO of Reading Horizons, a Utah-based literacy provider, I feel these numbers at my core. 

Since our founding in 1984, the team at Reading Horizons has worked closely and collaboratively with educators here in Utah and across the country. Over the years, they’ve shared their struggle to bring science-based reading instruction to their K-3 learners. These frontline, dedicated teachers want their students to succeed. To increase reading proficiency, it’s essential that we come together to support research-based reading instruction in every K-3 classroom. Empowering educators with training and materials that are grounded in the science of reading will be critical to generating the momentum needed to improve third-grade reading proficiency here in Utah.

So yes. S.B. 127 is a major step forward for our students, our educators and our state. While the funding has drawn headlines, the bill contains provisions focused on the science of reading and that deserves the brightest spotlight. These provisions go beyond funding to focus on establishing the infrastructure and support networks needed as teachers transition to programs that apply reading science to instruction. This initiative will fuel our state’s momentum in improving our students’ learning outcomes. These provisions will:

• Provide, train, and assign literacy coaches to schools with low literacy achievement performance to provide early literacy coaching to K-3 teachers. This is something teachers and school administrators alike welcome. 
• Establish a statewide panel with expertise in the science of reading and the science of reading instruction.
• Require local education agencies (our state’s school districts) to adopt science of reading curriculum and intervention programs.

The passage of the new law is well worth celebrating. To make us realize its potential, now is the time to work together to turn this opportunity into lasting, measurable results. Working side-by-side with more than 10,000 schools and districts here in Utah and across the country, we have seen science-based reading instruction propel students forward so they are proficient readers by the end of third grade. Our students are ready. It’s up to us to commit and collaborate to keep pushing Utah forward.

Tyson Smith is the CEO of Reading Horizons, a Utah-based, leading literacy provider that supports educators with powerful, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. He can be reached at tyson@readinghorizons.com.

Reading Horizons helps all students reach reading proficiency by third grade.
Contact Steffani Clark to discuss your foundational reading needs in Utah.