1. Elizabeth Levene, elizabeth@helpseducationfund.org
The HELPS Program can Provide YOU with the Tools to Help Struggling Readers
Welcome
Elizabeth Levene,
Helps Education Fund

2. We are driven by principles of:
The Helps Education Fund connects research with practice and engages teachers, parents, and volunteers to improve student learning.
We are driven by principles of:
Equity
Authentic Collaboration
Evidence for Effectiveness
Access (free or low cost; feasible to use)
Helps Education Fund addresses challenges with educational equity as it relates to
Education and Opportunity & Research to Practice
We partner with researchers and work collaboratively with educators to develop programs, disseminate, train, and build capacity for sustainability.
We aim to provide programs and services for free or at a low-cost.

3. Educators invest significant time and effort to support all students, but…
They need more time, support, and resources
Too many students still need assistance
Helps Education Fund addresses challenges with educational equity as it relates to
Education and Opportunity & Research to Practice
We partner with researchers and work collaboratively with educators to develop programs, disseminate, train, and build capacity for sustainability.
We aim to provide programs and services for free or at a low-cost.

4. Education and Opportunity & Research to Practice
Nationally: Only 36% of 4th grade students are reading at a proficient level
North Carolina: Only 38% of 4th graders scored at or above reading proficiency.
Helps Education Fund addresses challenges with educational equity as it relates to
Education and Opportunity & Research to Practice
We partner with researchers and work collaboratively with educators to develop programs, disseminate, train, and build capacity for sustainability.
We aim to provide programs and services for free or at a low-cost.

5. Reading Fluency What is reading fluency?
The extent to which a person can read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.
Why is reading fluency important?
Reading fluency in necessary for reading comprehension
The measurement of oral reading fluency (ORF) predicts reading comprehension and overall reading ability for students in grades 1-4
It should be targeted during early reading instruction (as part of the “Big 5”)
Fluent readers are more likely to choose to read
Bridge between learning to read to reading to learn

6. Reading Fluency
Bridge between learning to read to reading to learn

7. Reading Fluency How do you build reading fluency? Practice strategies
Motivational strategies
Specifically: Evidence-based practice and motivational strategies…because some strategies work better than others
How do you build reading fluency? Practice strategies; specifically, practice strategies that are shown to be effective through research.
Motivational strategies; increasing/developing motivation to learn – to participate
And that these strategies are evidence-based –with convincing research that have shown the practice to meaningfully improve educational outcomes for children.
Core components of HELPS -
Instructional (Practice Strategies): Repeated Reading, Modeling, Phrase Drill, Verbal Cues, Performance Feedback
Motivational: Goal Setting, Performance Feedback with Graphing, Positive Reinforcement for Reading Behaviors
Assessment: Built-in progress monitoring

8. Our Signature Program
The purpose of HELPS is to strengthen students’ reading fluency and improve students’ motivation and self-confidence with reading.
HELPS One-on-One
HELPS Small Group
Our signature program, which our nonprofit is named after is HELPS – Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies. HELPS is an evidence-based program that has been rigorously tested and proven to improve students reading fluency and comprehension. HELPS has specific goals, objectives, and structured components that are effective in improving student outcomes when administered with fidelity. - MORE INFO ON YOUR HANDOUT ON HELPS-

9. Strengths and Benefits
HELPS is evidence-based and research-validated
HELPS is relatively easy to learn and can be implemented by many different types of educators (including volunteers)
HELPS requires only minutes per day, 3 days per week
HELPS can be used as part of MTSS and integrates multiple strategies to monitor implementation integrity
HELPS has social validity with students and teachers
HELPS can be accessed for FREE
How do you build reading fluency? Practice strategies; specifically, practice strategies that are shown to be effective through research.
Motivational strategies; increasing/developing motivation to learn – to participate
And that these strategies are evidence-based –with convincing research that have shown the practice to meaningfully improve educational outcomes for children.
Core components of HELPS -
Instructional (Practice Strategies): Repeated Reading, Modeling, Phrase Drill, Verbal Cues, Performance Feedback
Motivational: Goal Setting, Performance Feedback with Graphing, Positive Reinforcement for Reading Behaviors
Assessment: Built-in progress monitoring

10. Which students should benefit?
First through third grade students, when used as part of students’ core reading curriculum
Struggling or at-risk readers in grades 1 - 4
Students in grade 5 or above that have more significant reading fluency difficulties
English language learners
Of course, a student’s teacher should confirm that the student would benefit from fluency-based instructional strategies

11. How it Works Student Selection
BOY, MOY Benchmark scores on reading fluency
Or other, as used by agency (AIMSweb, DIBELS)
HELPS schedule
15-min, 3 times a week
Providing program with Performance Feedback
HELPS Placement Assessment
Flow Chart, Scripted Directions, Tips and Reminders
Progress Monitoring and Implementation Fidelity
Student data - graph and progress tracking form
Volunteer/teacher – fidelity checks, at least two over a 9-week period
Structured and scripted program

12. Structured and scripted program

13. Timed Reading, Phrase Drill, & Modeling
Oral Reading Fluency – 1 min timed readings, practice, practice, practice!
Words Correct Per Minute
Words Incorrect Per Minute
Phrase Drill
Practicing words and logical phrases that were incorrect.
Modeling
Teacher/tutor modeling the full passage read aloud with good reading fluency.

14. Progress Tracking Form

15. Graphing

16. Earn 1 star for working hard/making progress
Star Chart
Earn 1 star for working hard/making progress
If student had met his/her goal, a second star would be awarded
If a star falls in a shaded box, student gets to draw ticket out of Bonus Bag to earn extra stars (add extra stars immediately)
After completing a row, student gets to pick a prize out of the Prize Box  should be awarded immediately

17. HELPS in Action

18. What it Takes to Implement HELPS
Intervention
Implementation
HELPS Training
Student selection using data
Teacher & volunteer selection
Student progress monitoring within HELPS program
Certified HELPS Trainer monitors student progress
Teacher/volunteer provides program with accuracy
Certified HELPS Trainer provides fidelity monitoring/coaching to teacher/volunteer
Dosage, student receives HELPS 3 times a week
Environment supports HELPS implementation that matches a student’s availability, 3 times a week
Student monitoring using benchmark data, middle of year and end of year scores
Certified HELPS Trainer reviews benchmark data, middle of year and end of year
Ongoing- data based decisions, training and coaching

19. Our Work with Schools and Volunteers
Improved Outcomes for Students in Reading
Volunteers (all kinds)
Teachers (all kinds)
Training, along with
Coaching
Fidelity
Implementation Integrity
Training, along with Coaching Fidelity Implementation Integrity
Helps Education Fund

20. Support for HELPS
HELPS has been successfully used and endorsed by reading specialists, regular and special education teachers, teacher assistants, community volunteers, and parents. Students also report that they enjoy receiving HELPS and feel more successful as readers by receiving the program.
Welcome

21. HELPS - Scaffolding of Support
Helps Education Fund is dedicated to supporting educators and improving learning outcomes for students. Helps Education Fund Provides: Access to HELPS primary program curriculum HELPS training and implementation support HELPS Fidelity and Certification