Barton Reading is a one-on-one tutoring program created by Susan Barton for students with dyslexia or language-related learning issues. It includes 10 levels with scripted lessons that help students read and spell at a mid-ninth grade level.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is barton reading?
Barton Reading was created by Susan Barton and has been helping students since 1998. It’s a tutoring program aimed at kids with dyslexia or learning challenges. The program has 10 levels, each with 10-15 lessons. Once students finish all levels, they can read, spell, and write at around a mid-ninth grade level. What makes Barton special is how easy it is for parents to use. The lessons are highly scripted, so you don’t need a teaching background to help your child. Plus, the program uses color-coded tiles and multisensory methods to link sounds with letters. This helps address phonemic awareness issues, which are common in dyslexia.
How the program works
Barton sessions usually last an hour and are best done twice a week. The program's scripted format means that tutors just follow the script instead of making lesson plans. The first level is all about phonemic awareness. It teaches the seven key skills needed before moving on to reading and spelling. This step is crucial since about 20% of people don’t develop phonemic awareness on their own, which is a big part of dyslexia. Each level builds on the last, using color-coded tiles to show sounds and spelling patterns.
Training and support
Unlike Wilson Reading, which needs professional certification, Barton is made for parents. About half of the people who buy it are parents who are homeschooling or tutoring their kids. You can find tutor training videos on the official website, and Barton offers unlimited support, whether you buy new or used materials. This makes it easier for families to provide effective help for dyslexia at home without the high costs of professional tutoring. Just remember, sticking to those one-hour sessions twice a week is key.
The bottom line
Barton Reading is often called 'expensive, boring, and effective.' This sums up its pros and cons well. It works because it directly tackles the phonemic awareness issues linked to dyslexia through a structured, multisensory approach that you can deliver yourself. The time and money you invest can be worth it if you’re dedicated to helping your child. If your child struggles with the Barton Student Screening, consider starting with programs like Lindamood-Bell's LiPS to build phonemic awareness first. For kids with dyslexia, this research-backed program can truly change their lives.
