Read along

The program “Read Along” supports primary and special needs schools in North Rhine-Westphalia – particularly in the Gütersloh district and surrounding regions – in systematic reading promotion. Over a period of 52 months (November 2022 to March 2027), educational institutions receive a grant to integrate the reading block four to five days per week into the timetable. The goal is to strengthen students in grades 1–4 in their reading fluency and vocabulary development through regular, 20-minute sessions. Accompanying training for teachers and the online Salzburg Reading Screening (Online-SLS) enable data-based diagnostics and continuous adjustment of the training. Currently, over 40 schools in East Westphalia-Lippe, Schleswig-Holstein, and Göttingen use this established concept, which has already been successfully evaluated in Hamburg and in the federal-state project “Education through Language and Literacy” (BiSS).

Eligible for funding are public educational institutions that commit to implementing the reading block at least four days per week and participating in all training modules. Standardized diagnostics before and after changing the oral reading methods – such as tandem reading, choral reading, or reading theater – make learning progress measurable. The Reinhard Mohn Foundation supports this project in the field of Education, Training & Continuing Education to promote equal opportunities and provide all children with the necessary basic competencies. Interested schools can look forward to a sustainable improvement in their learners’ reading skills based on the location requirements and participation conditions.