John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Starting next fall, California will implement universal screening for reading difficulties in kindergarten through second grade. This initiative aims to identify reading challenges early, allowing schools to provide necessary support and prevent students from falling behind. The state has approved four reading assessments for this purpose, including the Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR), developed at Stanford.
ROAR is an automated online tool created by Jason Yeatman, a Stanford Accelerator for Learning Faculty Affiliate. It allows schools to test all students simultaneously and provides real-time score reports to aid instruction. The tool is free and open-access, already used in hundreds of schools across 23 states.
Yeatman explains ROAR's mission: "We have a dual mission: there is a service and impact side and then a research side." He emphasizes bridging research with educational practice to alleviate resource constraints typically associated with traditional reading assessments.
The development of ROAR was supported by the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which provided technical assistance and facilitated partnerships with schools. Yeatman notes that ROAR's milestone represents "an exciting opportunity to connect research, practice, and policy."
The program not only aids teachers but also contributes significantly to research efforts on a larger scale than before. Yeatman remarks that ROAR enables studies reflecting diverse student populations nationwide.
Looking ahead, Yeatman hopes ROAR will influence broader educational policies beyond just compliance with existing legislation. He envisions collaborations between researchers and forward-thinking districts leading to more effective systems of support.
"ROAR isn’t just for grades K-2," says Yeatman; it aims to address reading challenges up through grade 12 as well. The goal is ensuring long-term support so students can reach their full potential.
Yeatman's work on ROAR has received backing from various organizations including Stanford Impact Labs and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
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