Amira is Powered by the Science of Reading

The only digital solution designed around Science of Reading frameworks and directly delivering tutoring to Science of Reading principles.

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Amira is...

Created by leading Reading Scientists

Implemented as part of district's Science of Reading plans

Approved by more than a dozen state education agencies

Designed around Science of Reading

Scoped to consider Science of Reading criteria and best practices

Rigorously eschews Balanced Literacy approaches

Designed Around the Science of Reading

Amira is based on the Simple View of Reading framework and fully embodies the research consensus.

Amira coaches students through Science of Reading principles, and presents data to teachers through the Five Pillars of Reading.

Amira Conforms to All Science of Reading Criteria

The Institute of Multi-Sensory Education enumerates Science of Reading Criteria.  IMSE's checklist provides dozens of key findings that set research, brain-based reading programs apart from the rest.

What is The Science of Reading?
Designed Around the Science of Reading

Amira is designed around the pillars of literacy and targets foundational reading skills and comprehension strategies. This supports teachers to use Science of Reading concepts in their daily instructional decision-making.

Delivers a Mix of Language Comprehension and Word Recognition Instruction

Amira uses 26 micro-interventions covering language comprehension, and 35 micro-interventions covering word recognition. Amira delivers the mix of interventions each student needs based on their unique skillset.

Students practice reading by reading, not clicking

Amira gives every student weekly "time on text" and ensures they do the hard work of actually reading. This is a unique value proposition, separating Amira from every other literacy program.

Decodable Texts

Amira’s library of content includes hundreds of decodable passages. 

Dyslexia Screening covers all recommended tasks

Amira’s dyslexia screener has been reviewed and approved by most State DOEs. The screening process covers each and every approach recommended by the International Dyslexia Association for reliable identification of dyslexia risk.

Explicit Phonics instruction and Decoding Practice

For early and emerging readers, Amira provides a steady diet of Phonic Decoding. The software employs coaching techniques like Elkonin Sound Boxes and Change One Sound to build Phonological Awareness and Decoding skills.

Support for Orthographic Mapping

Reading out loud encourages growth in Orthographic Mapping. The accountable practice supports students' blending and automaticity abilities. Interventions support their recognition and knowledge mapping of words.

Instructional Tools for Differentiation

Amira puts specific instructional resources into the teacher’s line of sight, enabling her to make assessment-driven decisions.

Deploys Multi-Sensory Approaches

Leading reading scientists have designed the micro-interventions to use many senses, usually simultaneously.  The interventions incorporate sound, touch, and sight.

"We've been really learning about what the research has shown us and Amira aligns exactly with the six components the science says that all readers need."

Lea Ann Crager, Principal
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The Right Method for Successful Reading Practice

Science of Reading aims to correct unscientific approaches popularized as elements of “Balanced Literacy.”

Amira is designed to not only encourage students to build foundational skills, but to become habituated to using those skills. This is at the core of Amira’s magic – working with a Science of Reading tutor helps students consolidate and internalize structured instruction.

No Cueing

Amira's interventions encourage reading not guessing.

No F&P or Arbitrary Levels

Amira does not support leveling that is disconnected from concrete science and objective measurement.

No MSV Cues

Amira does not support or report on MSV cues.

No Non-decodable passages

Amira’s library includes hundreds of decodable passages.

No Guessing

Amira constantly encourages and models word attacks.

Created by Science of Reading Experts

Dr. Katherine Pace-Miles

Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College and a colleague of Linnae Ehri, designed many of Amira’s micro-interventions.

Dr. Elena Izquierdo

Professor at UTEP and noted author of Bilingual literacy programs, aided the development of Amira for Spanish.

Dr. Doris Baker

Professor at University of Texas and the author of Bilingual Education, helped create Amira for Spanish.

Dr. David Franics

Professor at University of Houston, renowned researcher and Director of TIME, is Amira’s consulting psychometrician.

Dr. Jack Fletcher

Professor at University of Houston and leading dyslexia expert, works with Amira on the dyslexia screener.

Dr. Molly Branson-Thayer

Director of The Teaching Lab and formerly at the University of Washington, shaped Amira’s features for enabling teacher listening.

Dr. Mabel Rice

Professor at Kansas University and a leading researcher on vocabulary acquisition, has worked with Amira on teacher reporting features.

Dr. Patricia Edwards

Professor at Michigan State and author of New Ways To Engage Parents, advises Amira on parental reporting.

Approved by Science of Reading States

Amira partners with Science of Reading oriented Departments of Education across the country, including:

Used by Science of Reading Districts

Amira is used by districts in all 50 states. Some of the nation’s leading districts are using Amira as a component of their Science of Reading initiative.

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