Following the lead of two Reading Styles Model Schools, this article presents the best practices to transform struggling, at-risk readers into successful, lifelong readers. By eliminating practices that make learning to read difficult in favor of practices that facilitate learning to read, principals can ensure that their students enjoy reading,…

A Boston principal reflects on decade-long efforts to get students and their families to read together. Initiatives ranged from reading contests and upgraded reading materials to reading contracts, literacy shows, parent/home visiting programs, pizza parties, and off-site tutors. Persistence paid off in higher reading scores. (MLH)

A Cambridge, Massachusetts, alternative public school's basic reading program is a rich combination of whole language and individualized phonics. Other strategies to hook kids on reading include 20-minute recreational reading periods with parent volunteers, a weekly book-bag program, reading buddies, special projects, and community helpers from…