Title of Study: Read Naturally

Author(s): What Works Clearinghouse

Summary:
Read Naturally is a reading program designed for students with disabilities.  One version of the program combines books with audio cassettes or CDs.  In the other version, students work only with the Read Naturally computer program.  This analysis reviews one study of the program that meets What Works Clearinghouse’s evidence standards.

Sponsoring entity(s): Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education

Date conducted: 2010

Location of the study: This study can be accessed through the What Works Clearinghouse.

Setting(s) addressed:

• Classroom

Targeted population(s):

• Students with learning disabilities

Primary sources of evidence used in the study or report:

• Review of published research

Primary Technology Application(s) Addressed:

• Instructional software
• Audio cassette

Major education topic(s) addressed:

• Reading

Major findings/conclusions:

• Read Naturally had no discernible effect on reading fluency for students with learning disabilities (dyslexia)
• The program had potentially positive effects on writing for students with learning disabilities (dyslexia)

Practical implications of the findings:

• In the one study reviewed, students were tested only for reading fluency and writing, not for other aspects of reading performance.

Reviewer Comments:
Only one study of this product met What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards.  Additional studies conducted with less rigor are listed in the references for this article, and are available on the product’s website at http://www.readnaturally.com .