Introduction

Boon offers two programs that can end the reading crisis. Our multi-state, Pledge Literacy Interventions provides free, tutorial instruction, based on the science of reading, for low-income and minority students from Boon’s Wilson Level 1 Certified reading experts. Boon’s Donor-Funded Scholarship Program makes teacher training in the science of reading more accessible at best in class training organizations across America. To further that training, we also offer a limited number of scholarships in social and emotional learning.

Pledge Literacy Interventions

Provides free, multi-state, tutorial-intervention instruction with expert, Wilson Certificated Level 1 teachers for low income and minority students that are failing to reach grade proficiency. Typically, students do not receive the benefit of well-trained teachers that understand fundamental, structured language reading instruction methods that can advance a student’s reading skills to grade level proficiency. Boon is proud to facilitate this instruction.

• 40 hours of free tutoring by teachers that are certified to use structured language instruction methods based on the science of reading to underserved students
• Students are carefully assessed with WIST, Woodcock-Johnson, and their progress is monitored with curriculum based measures
• Previous tutoring outcomes show substantial grade level reading improvement

Learn more about the Pledge Literacy Interventions Program

View video by Donna Bell-Koon, Tutorial-Intervention Program Teacher

Training Teachers to Teach Reading

An effectively trained teacher can impact the reading performance of thousands of students over a teacher’s career. But, training teachers in the science of reading is expensive, and most teachers cannot afford the training they need.

That’s why, at Boon, we’re focused on providing scholarships through the Donor-funded Scholarship Program to ensure that teachers receive the training they need to be effective in teaching students to read. Boon’s fundraising and scholarship grant platform helps reduce or eliminate the tuition expense, providing training at best-in-class organizations across America.

Students require teachers trained in the science of reading and structured language instruction methods to achieve grade level reading skills. Only a small percentage of the 3 million teachers in public education have the necessary knowledge: phonology and phonological awareness, sound-symbol and symbol-sound association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, semantics, and reading fluency.

Boon’s teacher training partners work across all levels – from early childhood to high school. They have a history of effectively training teachers in early literacy, pre-reading environments, teachers in grades 1-3 classrooms when student grade proficiency is most critical, and teachers working grades 4-12 where students who have fallen behind need to catch up. Click here view a list of our designated teacher trainers and the coursework they offer.

Training Opportunities and Scholarships

The education system generally fails to offer future teachers appropriate training. As a nation-wide education non-profit, Boon supports dedicated teachers determined to see their students succeed by connecting teachers to the finest professional learning organizations in the United States. Boon has well-established direct service partnerships and collaborations with our expert reading trainers.

The cost of tuition for training can be a significant barrier. Some courses can cost 5% of a teacher’s salary. Funds for training through the Boon Donor-Funded Scholarship Program are provided by individual gifts matched by major donors to have outsized impact.

View Boon’s Giving Video

Why Boon?

• Our scholarships train teachers immediately
• Our best-in-class trainers get results
• Training in structured language instruction methods is generally not available within the system
• The training provided is effective and sustainable
• Read what our scholarship recipients are saying

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Boon recognizes the frustration and suffering that failing readers experience. It happens far more quickly than one might imagine, and can lead to behavioral issues, poor attendance, dropping out of school, and getting involved with the criminal justice system. Teacher training in social and emotional learning grounds good reading instruction based on structured language and the science of reading.

“Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. It is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.” Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Our Partners in Teacher Training