Rigby Reach for Reading, Inc.

Rigby Reach for Reading, Inc. is an educational consulting company offering and supporting two reading intervention programs:  Reaching Up for early elementary students, and Reaching Higher for upper elementary students who are not reading at grade level.  At Reach for Reading our mission is to help solve the reading crisis one student at a time.

By empowering, training, and supporting school personnel or committed volunteers who wouldn't normally be in a position to help, Reach for Reading is making a difference in schools across the country.

By being in continuous contact with school administrators, program facilitators and Reach for Reading tutors, we help make sure the program works in your school, with your students.

We have a passion for what we do and it shows.  It works.  It can work for your students.

February 16, 2000

RE:  Rigby Acquires Atlanta-based Reading Intervention Company

Crystal Lake, IL – Rigby, a premier provider of elementary reading resources, has acquired Reach for Reading, Inc., a company that focuses on training and materials for one-on-one reading intervention programs utilizing school paraprofessionals, aides and volunteers.

Says Rigby president Steven Korte, "Reach for Reading is a natural fit with Rigby’s strategic plans.  It superbly complements our balanced literacy resources designed for the entire school community.  Reach for Reading gives paraprofessionals the tools they need to become effective partners with teachers in providing one-on-one assistance to children who are not performing at grade level.  Its dedicated school support consultants provide on-site training and ongoing assistance for these paraprofessionals and tutors.  The Reach for Reading program also creates a strong home connection as parents sign agreements and initial each day’s homework."

Based for five years in Atlanta, Reach for Reading has successfully implemented programs in almost 400 schools nationwide, including Philadelphia, Baltimore County, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.  "Reach for Reading has found a good home with Rigby", says Darrell Dobresk, Reach for Reading CEO.  "The number of kids who will be helped by the Reach for Reading programs will really start to grow now."

Nationally, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, administrative personnel, parents, AmeriCorps members and community volunteers are among the growing ranks of Reach for Reading for Reading tutors trained to work with grades 1-3 children in the Reaching Up program, and students in intermediate grades 4 and 5, in Reaching Higher.

Reach for Reading materials can turn any small space into an inviting, print-rich Reach for Reading workstation, and student materials center around a highly structured, easy-to-follow lesson plan that builds confidence.

"Most respected intervention programs, such as Reading Recovery," use highly trained teachers to work with the most disadvantaged students," says Korte.  "School districts are very focused on reading results.  Reach for Reading helps children who would greatly benefit from the organized, purposeful help of a caring adult to progress their reading towards grade level."

Rigby, a division of the Reed Elsevier, Inc., was founded in 1986 and popularized balanced literacy practices in the United States.  The company is credited with pioneering the guided reading methodology and the integration of carefully leveled student books.  Almost half of the nation’s primary school teachers have used Rigby products in their classrooms, and over 70,000 have taken advantage of the professional development resources offered.  Most recently Rigby has introduced Rigby Literacy, a core reading program for the K-3 grades; Pebble Soup, an early childhood literacy resource; and will launch online professional development for educators this summer.

Rigby Reach for Reading, Inc.
1000 Hart Road, 3rd Floor
Barrington, IL 60010-2627

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