Program Description

"The Superkids Reading Program is a comprehensive English language arts curriculum crafted specifically for K–2 students and how they learn. The systematic, explicit instructional path solidifies foundational skills and builds knowledge to grow students’ confidence as readers. Superkids inspires and motivates students from the start with a cast of relatable characters at the heart of the program. Their ongoing adventures, combined with evidence-based practices, set students on the right path to literacy success."

Cost

Classroom package prices vary by grade, ranging from $540-$720. Individual materials also available.

Intended Population

• Core
• Intervention

Grade

• Elementary School

Intended Group Size

• Small group
• Classroom
• School

ELL/DLL

• Full

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Computer-Based Delivery

• Partial

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• Yes

Accelerated Learning

• Yes

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Yes

Error Correction Built In

• Yes

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

The Superkids Reading Program has been associated with positive outcomes on measures reading, especially on Sounds & Letters (.25) and Sentence Reading (.22), almost a 10 percentile point advantage for K-2 students in Superkids classrooms compared to control classrooms (Borman & Dowling, 2009). Several independent case studies and longitudinal studies conducted by the Superkids publisher also found greater reading outcomes in students receiving the program when compared to controls. However, due to the limited amount of peer-reviewed studies, there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of the Superkids program at this time.

Study Citations

Borman, G. D., & Dowling, N. M. (2009). Student and teacher outcomes of the Superkids quasi-experimental study. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 14(3), 207-225. https://doi.org/10.1080/10824660903375602

Jordan, J., & Foster, S. (n.d.) Case Study: Evaluation of Superkids Reading Program. University of Cincinnati Research Institute. https://www.zaner-bloser.com/products/pdfs/Independent_Researchers_Discover_Rapid_Progress_with_Superkids.pdf

Superkids (n.d) A Summary of Effectiveness Studies. https://www.zaner-bloser.com/reading/superkids-reading-program/pdfs/SK17_Summary_of_Effectiveness_Brochure.pdf

Evidence Base (ESSA)

• Moderate

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Insufficient evidence

Additional Reviews

• https://www.edreports.org/reports/overview/the-superkids-reading-program