What makes it effective? How do we know it has been effective?
The systematic and explicit approach to reading ensures that the student really understands the alphabetic code. The program's three strands (Word Attack Skills, Sight Words and Reinforced Reading) cover the key components of reading instruction. Doing the program four times a week for as little as 30 minutes can lead to significant gains in both accuracy and comprehension. For in depth information about the program, see MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program (Revised) and MULTILIT Products.
What age group is it targeted at?
MULTILIT is a remedial reading program – it is suitable for those children 7 and over who are falling behind their peers. Because the approach that MULTILIT takes is effective for all reading instruction, children, teenagers and adults can use this program. In fact, there is no real upper age limit for the program as the skills taught are relevant for all readers, but of course there needs to be sensitivity about the choice of the reading materials used for older readers.
What is MULTILIT's connection to Macquarie University?
MULTILIT has its origins at MUSEC (Macquarie University Special Education Centre) in Sydney where it has been tried and tested over many years. Being associated with a university means that the program is underpinned by sound and on-going academic research.
Do you have to be a literacy specialist to use the program?
No, you don't. The program can be used by mainstream teachers, learning support teachers, teacher aides, parents at home, trained volunteers. If a non-professional is delivering the program, it is advisable that a more qualified person is overseeing the delivery.
What's new about the revised MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program?
This new edition represents a thoroughly revised version of our individual instruction program that was originally published in 1998. It also incorporates all of the recommendations for effective reading instruction from the Government's 2005 report of the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.
The MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program (Revised) is the product of a continuing program of research and development by Professor Wheldall and his specialist team of academic researchers and special educators at Macquarie University into more effective ways of teaching students who are experiencing difficulties in learning literacy skills.
There are revisions to MULTILIT Word Attack Skills, Sight Words and Reinforced Reading that make the new Program even more effective and easier to use.
See What's new about the MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program, a 1-page PDF.
What sort of results can we expect?
Students working half an hour a day on the program can make up to 15 months' gain in just 2 terms. The students who attend the community project at Schoolwise, make overall gains, on average, (over the five month period of the program) of 16 months in reading accuracy, 12 months in reading comprehension and 19 months in single word recognition. They also gain 11 months in spelling. On average, they are able to read nearly 50% more words correctly per minute than they could when they first entered the program. 74% left the program reading books at a level approximating functional literacy. At the MULTILIT project in Cape York, over the course of the year (from mid 2005 to mid 2006) the older students in Coen School made gains of about 20 months in reading accuracy, single word recognition, phonic recoding and spelling and eleven months in reading comprehension.
In addition, we receive ongoing feedback from schools that teachers using the MULTILIT program find that the students respond very well, are more motivated and make rapid improvements in their literacy skills. See testimonials from teachers and other educational professionals. Of course results will depend on how diligently the program is being followed. See clinic results, and community projects.
Can I use it in my classroom?
This program is not designed for whole class use as it is a remedial reading program. The kit is to be used in a one-to-one setting. This way the program of instruction is specifically tailored to the needs of the student.
How does 'Positive Teaching' work and how is it useful?
MULTILIT teachers praise at over 150 'smiles per hour'. Positive teaching, a model of positive reinforcement based on the principles of applied behaviour analysis, allows high rates of teacher praise and dramatically decreases teacher reprimands. By focusing on appropriate behaviour and ignoring inappropriate behaviour (i.e. "catching them being good") we allow maximum learning to take place. Classrooms that employ the principles of Positive Teaching have much higher rates of on-task behaviour.
Does the MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program teach comprehension?
The third strand of the program, MULTILIT Reinforced Reading, deals with comprehension in real text. The increase in fluency and accuracy through working through the MULTILIT Word Attack Skills and Sight Words leads to improved comprehension as the student is no longer using all his mental energy just trying to work out the words.
How do parents and schools work together?
Many schools use parent volunteers to do the Reinforced Reading part of the program. This can be done at home or at school. Some schools train parents or teacher aides to deliver the MULTILIT program, but this should always be done under the direction of a learning support teacher or teacher.
Do you have any programs for younger children?
MULTILIT is in the process of researching and developing a new program called MINILIT (Meeting Initial Needs In Literacy) to address the needs of 'at-risk' Year 1 students. We have been trialling this program in our Schoolwise, Redfern and Cape York community projects. We plan to release this program for sale to schools and other educational professionals in late 2010.
Can our school use the MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program (kit) without attending professional training?
Although the manuals, DVDs and guides included in the complete MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program (Revised) are very comprehensive and explain how to implement the program in a one-to-one setting, attendance at our one-day MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program Professional Training Workshop is recommended for school-based staff to give them the extra confidence to get started.