READ KY

READ KY is a statewide adult literacy initiative designed to test the impact of a technology-based approach to reading instruction on adults who have literacy skills below the fifth-grade equivalency level. More specific goals are to:

• Design technology-based adult basic reading (below 5^th grade equivalency) programs
• Implement different models of these programs in metropolitan, urban and rural sites across the Commonwealth
• Enroll in these programs adults with a reading level below fifth grade equivalency
• Encourage adults who achieve a fifth grade reading level through READ KY to continue to the next level of adult education
• Evaluate these pilot programs with attention to:
• Effective features of different reading software packages to improve reading levels
• Recruitment (includes marketing), enrollment and retention of adult learners
• Participation patterns of adult learners
• Learning outcomes of the adults enrolled
• Staff qualifications for effective learner support.

The five current pilot programs are distributed across the Commonwealth: one metropolitan, two urban and two rural. Two different delivery models were chosen to test a technology-centered instructional model.  One model uses technology alone for instruction with a facilitator providing technical and administrative support.  The other model has trained reading instructors supplement the technology.  Outcomes for each model will be compared.

Lead Researchers: Beth Goldstein & Eric Reed, University of Kentucky