Express Readers' Foundational Reading Program

This report is for a supplementary foundational skills program intended for use alongside a comprehensive core English Language Arts program. 

The Express Readers Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 materials reviewed do not meet the criteria for alignment to standards and research-based practices for foundational skills instruction. The materials partially meet the criterion for materials and instruction provide embedded support with general concepts of print. Materials provide explicit, systematic instruction of researched-based and/or evidence-based phonological awareness. The materials provide limited explicit, systematic instruction of researched-based and/or evidence-based phonics. The materials partially meet the criterion for materials and instruction support students in learning and practicing regularly and irregularly spelled high-frequency words. The materials do not include explicit instruction and practice in fluency. The Teacher Planners and student materials do not cover the full range of foundational skills as required by the standards.