- Simplifies Literacy Instruction with a Unified Program for All Tiers and Every Student
- Built Upon Reading Horizons Proven Foundational Skills Methodology
- Fits the Needs of Districts with Programs Designed for Comprehensive Instruction, Targeted Intervention, and Supplemental Skill Support
Salt Lake City, Utah— October 7, 2025– Reading Horizons®, a trusted leader in structured literacy for more than 40 years, today announced Ascend™, a breakthrough comprehensive literacy suite for grades Pre-K–12. Built on Charlotte Lockhart’s proven phonics method and Reading Horizons’ legacy of supporting millions of students and educators, Ascend unites core, supplemental, and intervention literacy instruction in one powerful system.
Unifies Instruction Across All Tiers and Student Populations
Educators today face overwhelming complexity. Many literacy solutions are fragmented—leaving teachers to patch together programs for foundational skills, language development, and intervention. Ascend simplifies this landscape by offering a single, unified platform designed to:
- Seamlessly connect Tier 1 and intervention instruction, delivering a consistent learning experience for every teacher and student, in any setting
- Serve all student populations—below-level, striving, on-level, gifted, multilingual, and those with specific learning needs
- Align assessment data and reporting in real time so teachers, administrators, and caregivers can deliver clear, personalized guidance–keeping each student’s progress visible and consistent
In a national study conducted in May 2025 by an independent third party, more than 80% of educators cited alignment across scope and sequence, consistent instructional vocabulary, and shared data as top priorities when evaluating literacy resources. Ascend tackles these challenges head-on with one integrated solution that simplifies teaching and accelerates student success.
Built on Proven Foundational Expertise
For decades, Reading Horizons has been recognized for its effectiveness in teaching foundational literacy skills. Ascend extends this expertise into vocabulary, oral language, comprehension, and writing—delivering a complete Pre-K–12 solution that ensures students build lasting literacy gains.
Key features include:
- A structured yet flexible design that works in both high- and low-tech, and hybrid classrooms
- Individualized pathways driven by continuous skill assessment, students never get lost between programs, and teachers always know the next best step
- Teacher-led and technology-supported explicit instruction that balances rigor with creativity without adding complexity
- Programs designed explicitly to meet the diverse needs of learners at every stage
In the same national study, while 50% of educators surveyed prefer a single resource that can meet the needs of all students, only 35% believe current products deliver on that promise. Ascend bridges that gap—giving educators one cohesive platform instead of multiple disconnected programs.
“After walking through an Ascend comprehensive lesson, I found it to be seamless. Each literacy domain naturally flows into the next, creating a fully coherent learning journey,” said Ashley Christie, a reading supervisor in a large public school district.
Comprehensive or Supplemental—Built to Fit Your Needs
Ascend is designed to meet schools where they are, offering both a full core + intervention system and targeted supplemental options:
- Ascend Mastery – A comprehensive Pre-K–5 core literacy curriculum addressing all strands of literacy (word recognition, language comprehension, oral language, and writing), with age-appropriate progression from early foundations to advanced comprehension.
- Ascend Focus – Individualized intervention for K–12 that pinpoints precisely where support is needed so students get targeted, developmentally aligned instruction so they can exit intervention more quickly.
Built on Reading Horizons’ proven method, Mastery and Focus create a complete literacy system—from foundational skills to comprehensive literacy and writing–bringing Tier 1 and intervention instruction together in one seamless platform.
For schools that have an existing core program, Ascend also offers flexible supplements:
- Ascend Foundations – A foundational literacy program built on Reading Horizons’ proven method, addressing the lower strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, ensuring mastery of phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding.
- Ascend Language – A supplemental program focused on the upper strands of literacy, strengthening vocabulary, oral language, comprehension, and writing.
These options ensure that every district—whether seeking a full literacy solution or targeted small group or individual support—can bring consistency, alignment, and measurable impact to instruction.
Where Support Meets Results
Reading Horizons has long stood apart for its teacher-first approach, offering training, coaching, and ongoing partnership to ensure classroom success. Ascend builds on this tradition by providing support at every stage—from rollout to measurable literacy growth.
Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons, said: “Ascend represents the next chapter of our mission to eradicate illiteracy. We’ve always believed literacy is opportunity—and that teachers deserve resources that are both powerful and practical. Ascend unites everything educators have been asking for: one system that’s grounded in science, designed for real classrooms, and proven to make a difference for students.”
Availability
Ascend will be available for district and school implementation beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. Educators and administrators will get a first look at The Reading League National Conference on October 8-10, 2025.
For more information visit Reading Horizons
About Reading Horizons
For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled reading instruction. Grounded in the latest science of reading research, Reading Horizons provides effective foundational and comprehensive Pre-K–12 literacy solutions that empower teachers to accelerate student success. Beyond classroom resources, Reading Horizons fosters professional growth and community through Literacy Talks, a leading podcast where literacy experts and practitioners share insights, strategies, and inspiration for transforming reading instruction.
