1 \; Lae. Ge maAE feRTS 7 TL Oye: as > mT: do Ae Byfe EN S For Reading Success, Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late (NAPSA)—When is the best time to get a child reading help? Immediately, say the experts. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 43 percent of U.S. fourth graders can’t pass a basic reading test. A Yale University study revealed that 75 percent of children who read poorly at the end of third grade never become successful readers. “Literacy is strongly linked to success in school and future success in life. Of those children who have not mastered basic reading skills, the majority will never catch up to their peers and many will simply drop out of school,” states Pat Hoge, executive direc- tor of education and curriculum development for eSylvan, which offers personalized, Web-based tutoring in reading and math by state-certified teachers. “Early intervention can have a great impact in identifying and addressing reading weaknesses.” Readingis the foundation ofall other skills essential for learning. If you suspect your child is falling behind, eSylvan offers parents the following tips: 1. Assess your child’s reading skills. An online skills assessment can act as an “academic Xray” to highlight your child's strengths and weaknesses, and help identify gaps in your child's reading skills. . Get reading help immediately. The sooner a child receives help, the better. Online tutoring can offer live, customized tutoring in reading from state-certified teachers from the safety and convenience of home. 8. Monitor your child’s reading progress. An ongoing dialogue about your child’s reading progress is important; a series of scheduled con- Students who need reading help can use an online tutor such as eSylvan. ferences with your child’s tutor or teacher can provide feedback. eSylvan teachers and students use Web technology that allows continuous two-way audio dialogue, which is much like talking on the telephone. They also write questions and answers, which are displayed on both the students’ and teachers’ computer screens, using a digital pencil and digital writing pad (similar to a mousepad). eSylvan is the only online supplemental education provider to receive interna- tional academic accreditation. “eSylvan provides parents with an online home tutoring option that not only improves their child’s academic skills, but helps boost their child’s self-confidence,” adds Hoge. “Best of all, sessions take place from the privacy of home, so children need not feel embarrassed about working with a tutor to catch up.” To learn more, parents and teachers can visit www.esylvan. com or call 1-877-eSylvan.
