The PAF Reading Program was written as a beginning reading program for all children, including high-risk and dyslexic students. Using an explicit phonics-based reading program that integrates reading, spelling, and handwriting in the early grades, can prevent reading problems and reduce referrals and special education placements.

An effective multisensory reading program should include decodable (contain words comprised only of sounds that have been taught) and controlled readers (with sufficient repetition of vocabulary to develop word recognition). Selections must include fiction and non-fiction, and be long enough to support the teaching of evidence-based comprehension strategies. The PAF decodable chapter books meet this criteria. It is the use of comprehensive, decodable reading materials that distinguishes PAF from other reading programs.

• Tier 1. A beginning reading program starting in kindergarten or first grade, PAF can be used as a Tier 1 beginning reading program because every important instructional component recommended by the National Reading Panel is included: phonemic awareness and phonics (through the spelling dictations and in the PAF Skills Books), fluency (through repeated readings of the word, phrase and sentence lists) and vocabulary and comprehension (through the monitored oral reading of the PAF decodable chapter books). By providing the appropriate instruction early in mainstream classes, the entire class will improve their reading, spelling, and handwriting skills. There will be a group of students for whom decodable text is critical — students who will be confused if you teach them that a = ă and then ask them to read cake. These are students who would typically be receiving intervention services or going to the resource room. By providing multisensory reading in the mainstream, most of these students will learn to read successfully in their classroom with no additional support. The number of students needing support and special education services will dramatically decrease.
• Tier 2. It can be used as a remedial reading program (Grades K-6).
• Tier 3. It can be used as a reading program for self-contained special education (ungraded).

PAF has had unparalleled success as an intervention (Tier 2) or special education (Tier 3) program for students who have not been successful with other reading methodologies because it incorporates Orton-Gillingham instruction which was created specifically for dyslexic students.

The PAF Reading Program can be used in a variety of settings to meet the needs of struggling readers. Curriculum-based assessments are included in the program to help monitor students’ progress and ensure appropriate intervention. The design of the program, as well as its materials, afford the flexibility of using all or parts of the daily lesson depending upon the specific needs of your students regardless of the Tier designation.