In January he began using in his homeroom an online course called Read 180, “America’s Top Reading Intervention Program” according to its owner, Scholastic. The lawsuit said “occasionally, his teacher assisted students around the room, but she generally sat at her desk and kept track of how students did on the computer exercises. In this program, Melvin did not receive any explicit instruction from an adult.”
When asked about his school, the lawsuit said, the child wrote: “My name is Melvin Marshall I go to Barber foucs school. I wish it was a batter [illegible] in the clean bathroom. Batter teachers and batter Lunch.” When his reading proficiency was evaluated in May, he tested four grades below his age level. Other students had similar experiences, the lawsuit said.
The Scholastic.com Web site says hundreds of studies verify the effectiveness of Read 180. But Scholastic spokeswoman Kyle Good said it, like other programs, won’t work “unless teachers are actively involved.” Highland Park school officials did not respond to requests for comment.