Reading Mastery Signature Edition (formerly Plus, Classic, & DISTAR)
Overview
Focus
Specific Skills
- Comprehension
- Fluency
- Oral language skills
- Phonemic awareness
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Word recognition
Program Length
School year; most program lessons take about 30–45 minutes (some versions may take up to 90 minutes)
Program Description
"Reading Mastery Signature Edition uses the highly explicit, systematic approach of Direct Instruction to accelerate reading and help students achieve a high rate of success. Three strands address Reading, Language Arts, and Literature through a common instructional design that helps students learn more efficiently. With the addition of technology-based resources for both additional practice and professional development, Reading Mastery Signature Edition helps teachers optimize each minute spent in the classroom."
Visit Program WebsiteCost
Prices vary depending on type (student subscriptions, teacher subscriptions, grade level) and duration (1 or 3 year subscriptions available). Individual student editions range from $7.44–144.40. Typical pricing for teacher and grade level subscriptions ranges from $114.96–508.76. Specific pricing available from MH Education Website.
More Pricing DetailsDemographics & Delivery
Intended Population
- Any
Grade
- Pre-K
- Elementary School
Intended Group Size
- Small group
- Classroom
- School
ELL/DLL
- Partial
Multisensory Applications
- Unspecified
Computer-Based Delivery
- Partial
Scripted
- Instructor Scripted
Program Specifics
Comprehensive or Skill Specific
- Comprehensive
Placement Tests
- Yes
Accelerated Learning
- No
Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery
- No
Error Correction Built In
- Yes
Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher
- Unspecified
Research & Evaluation
Research Summary
"No studies of Reading Mastery that fall within the scope of the Beginning Reading review protocol meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards. The lack of studies meeting WWC evidence standards means that, at this time, the WWC is unable to draw any conclusions based on research about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of Reading Mastery on beginning readers in grades K–3. Additionalresearch is needed to determine the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of this intervention. (WWC) NeMTSS findings for Reading Mastery are inconclusive. One study reported very small or negative effect sizes on outcome measures. Another study reported no effect sizes, but significant gains in Nonsense Word Fluency and Oral Reading Fluency. "
Study Citations
O'Connor, R. E., Jenkins, J. R., Cole, K. N., & Mills, P. E. (1993). Two approaches to reading instruction with children with disabilities: Does program design make a difference? Exceptional Children, 59(4), 312-323.
Sexton, C. W. (1989). Effectiveness of the DISTAR Reading I Program in developing first graders' language skills. The Journal of Educational Research, 82(5), 289-293.
Stockard, J. & Engelmann, K. (2010). The development of early academic success: The impact of Direct Instruction's Reading Mastery. Journal of Behavior Assessment in Children, 1(1), 2-24.
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Report
- No studies met WWC inclusion criteria
Evidence Base (ESSA)
- No studies met inclusion requirements
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
- Insufficient evidence

