The Flippen Reading Connection utilizes direct instruction (explicit phonics) as well as strategy instruction to engage the declarative cognitive functions of the brain.  In addition, bilateral arm and leg movements are used to “stroke out” the shapes of letters to engage the non-declarative cognitive functions of the brain.  As a result, student skills increase in alphabetics, reading fluency, comprehension, and general reading achievement as required by What Works Clearinghouse.
 
The Flippen Reading Connection (FRC) meets the criteria of the Reading First program  because the effectiveness of FRC has been documented using a scientifically-based reading research study, that is, a double-blind randomized controlled trial (see our “Effectiveness of the Flippen Reading Connection” document).  This research demonstrated that students in the Flippen Reading Connection treatment group scored significantly higher than those in the curriculum based control group in all five areas assessed.  The five areas include Sight Vocabulary Accuracy, Sight Vocabulary Fluency, Familiar Passage Reading, Unfamiliar Passage Reading, and Writing Vocabulary.  The double-blind, randomized controlled trial assessed acquisition of K-3 reading skills in students who exhibited reading disabilities and were in grades 3 through 5.