Dr. Joyce Hieshima

Research shows that "time on task" is key to helping struggling readers, whether that time is spent in small groups, large groups or working one-on-one, says Joyce Hieshima, an education professor in the department of reading at Northeastern Illinois University.Individualizing the instruction so it's focused on the weaknesses of a particular student also is important.

"You don't necessarily want to pull kids out of class because then they're made to understand there's a problem," says Hieshima.It's often better to give the extra help within the classroom, she explains, with the teacher spending a little individual time each day with struggling students, or pairing up students with different abilities so they can help each other.

"Good teachers can assess the students' needs [in reading] and provide a level of instruction that's appropriate," Hieshima says.
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Hieshima says two hours a week after school could be enough to make a difference in a child's achievement.

"It depends on what they're doing, but, in general, any added time is good time," she says.

Sulzby, E., Barnhart, J., & Hieshima, J. (1989).
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Sulzby, E., Barnhart, J., & Hieshima, J. (1988).
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Dr. Joyce Hieshima, Assistant Professor, Northeastern Illinois University