As teachers, we’ve all had students who work hard but still struggle to make sense of print. It can be frustrating to know they’re putting in the effort yet not making the progress we hope for. David Kilpatrick’s Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties speaks directly to this challenge.
Why It Matters for the Classroom
Kilpatrick bridges decades of reading research with practical guidance we can use right away. He reminds us that behind every low reading score is a student with very specific needs—and when we know what those needs are, we can respond more effectively.
Classroom Takeaways
- Look deeper than the score: Assessments aren’t just about levels; they tell us why a child is struggling—phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, or comprehension.
- Catch it early: Systematic phonics instruction and early screening give many students the solid foundation they need to avoid bigger difficulties later.
- Targeted intervention works: Strategies that strengthen phonemic awareness and orthographic mapping are game changers for struggling readers.
- Stay research-aligned: Some familiar approaches don’t have the evidence we need. Kilpatrick challenges us to choose what truly helps our students.
Final Thought
This isn’t a “quick tips” book, but it’s one I return to often. It sharpens how I think about reading instruction and pushes me to be more intentional about prevention and intervention. If you’ve ever felt stuck helping a struggling reader, Kilpatrick offers both clarity and direction.