Which statement best describes Reading Recovery?

• A. It is a one-on-one intervention designed to help struggling readers catch up
• B. It is a whole-class program
• C. It relies on computer-based drills
• D. It replaces phonics instruction

Answer: (A)

Reading Recovery is an intensive, one-on-one intervention for students who are struggling with reading in the early grades, designed to help them catch up to their classmates. A specially trained teacher works with a single child every day for a short, focused session—typically about 30 minutes—over several weeks. The instruction is highly individualized, combining guided reading, writing, and strategy instruction with ongoing assessment to tailor lessons to the child’s needs. The goal is to accelerate progress so the student can join the regular classroom instruction at grade level.

This isn’t a whole-class program, nor is it delivered through computer-based activities. It’s also not a replacement for phonics instruction; phonics and decoding skills are incorporated as part of the targeted teaching, but the emphasis is on individualized, rapid progress through personalized support. The strength of Reading Recovery lies in its direct, frequent, and student-specific approach to help a struggling reader move forward quickly.