The growing movement around the science of reading reflects a timeless truth that every person deserves the ability to read and speak English. Proficiency in English is a gateway to higher education and economic mobility that empowers communities in the U.S. and beyond. Richards Learning Systems unlocks the key to reading through Sammy and the Magical Reading Chest, a highly engaging and effective science-based literacy program. It blends research with storytelling and multisensory learning to transform literacy into a foundation for confidence and opportunity. The urgency could not be greater. Millions of children globally are struggling to read and speak English. National assessments show that reading scores for fourth and eighth graders have consistently declined over the past three decades. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. read below a sixth-grade level. The burden has fallen on educational institutions. Training programs for teachers often focus on theory without practical methods to teach reading. Many programs are outdated and lack foundational literacy instruction in evidence-based methods like systematic phonics and phonemic awareness. Training teachers on the science of reading is costly and time-consuming with some programs requiring up to 700 hours. When trained teachers leave, school districts face the challenge of starting the expensive process again. This creates a cycle where the promise of literacy remains elusive. Richards Learning Systems breaks this cycle with a 30- year history of proven effectiveness in advancing literacy for students of all ages. It guides learners from pre-K through high school, helping them build skills step by step with measurable progress. The program is also offered to corporate organizations to support employees who never had the chance to develop literacy skills. “A deep understanding of challenges and opportunities in literacy education shapes everything we do,” says Carole Richards, founder. “We develop practical programs grounded in real-world teaching and learning experiences.” Science of Reading in Action Richards Learning Systems’ message is simple yet powerful, “You can learn to read.” Sammy and the Magical Reading Chest is a comprehensive, video-based reading program that includes 77 episodes up to seven minutes each. Simplicity and compassion are at the heart of the program. Every video introduces just one concept distilled to its simplest form, with fewer rules to memorize. It is effective in mainstream classrooms and supports specially challenged students. While the pace of progress varies, the outcome is steady and undeniable; children discover that reading is possible and empowering.
Top Tech University 2025
Featuring hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to graduate career-ready, Utah Tech University is the quintessential example of a polytechnic institution. By offering the lowest university tuition in its state and accepting all students, the St. George, Utah-based university is making higher education not only affordable and accessible, but a must-have in today’s ever-changing economic landscape. Innovation is embedded in every student’s experience as part of Utah Tech’s ‘active learning. active life.’ approach to education.
Top Dental Assistant School 2025
Textbooks can teach you what to do, but not how to do it confidently. Many dental assistant programs focus on classroom theory. While necessary, those environments can’t replicate the speed, teamwork and patient interactions of a real dental practice. Dental Assisting Institute (DAI) believes the only way to prepare students for the demands of modern dentistry is to immerse them in it from day one. That’s why its training takes place inside a fully operating dental practice, where every lesson is connected to real patient care. From working with patients at the front desk through reading a dentist’s mind and anticipating their next move chairside, its 13-week Expanded Duties program offers a chance for students to practice the skills that come most in handy in real-world practice. “You don’t just learn procedures; you live them. By blending small-group instruction with one-on-one mentorship by working dentists, you develop a familiarity with clinical life that no textbook can encompass,” says Dr. Ziyad Maali, director of curriculum and instruction and a dentist with more than 21 years in private practice. DAI’s program, the brainchild of Dr. Maali, now constitutes Florida’s most comprehensive dental assisting curriculum. It all started after the pandemic, when he observed that traditional programs didn’t quite hit the mark, with classes that were highly compacted at 15 to 20 per professor and a brief externship thereafter that resulted in limited hands-on experience. Determined to raise the bar, Dr. Maali built his program from the ground up by integrating national best practices, proven textbooks and more than two decades of chairside experience. In 2022, it was filed with the Florida Department of Education, and one year later, DAI was ready for business as the only school in Florida dedicated solely to dental assisting. “We prioritize quality over quantity,” adds Dr. Maali. “Each instructor works with no more than five students, ensuring they feel comfortable asking questions and have every opportunity to master their skills.”
Catholic School
As St. John Regional Catholic School (SJRCS) approaches its 200th anniversary, it thrives as a vibrant, faith-centered learning community. Guiding nearly 700 students from seven local parishes in Frederick, Maryland, it is one of only two regional schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Rather than being tied to a single church, it draws enrollment and support from multiple parishes. This unique structure allows SJRCS to foster a diverse school culture while remaining deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. “We hold our students to high academic and moral standards, and that combination appeals to our community,” says Kim Hanner, Principal. With two classrooms in Pre-K3 and three classrooms in every grade from Pre-K4 through eighth grade, SJRCS draws a thriving community of students. A testament to its reputation for blending rigorous academics with strong character formation. Central to the school’s philosophy is the CRUX framework: Courageous, Responsible, Unselfish and Christlike. The X is actually the Chi-Rho symbol, which stands for Christ. Teachers reinforce these values daily through a positive behavioral interventions and supports system, where students earn Wildcat Cards for positive actions. Such moments of encouragement often spark deeper experiences of faith. Mrs. Soto recalls one student who used his Wildcat Cards to buy raffle tickets for a gift card, prayed the night before to win, and beamed the next day when his name was called. “I got on my knees last night,” he told his teachers. For Soto, the joy came from his win and witnessing a child connect prayer to everyday life. Weekly or biweekly praise and worship sessions bring the entire school community together, reinforcing that, at SJRCS, faith isn’t just taught but developed from within and strengthened through shared experience. Supporting this growth is a well-rounded curriculum, which offers core subjects ELA, math, science, social studies and religion, complemented by art, music, Spanish, PE and technology for younger grades. Seventh and eighth graders have Spanish twice a week, while technology is integrated into their coursework. To prepare students for the digital world, SJRCS provides Chromebooks, uses Google Classroom and leverages online tools.
Pre-College Academic Enrichment Programs Provider of the Year 2025
For high school students, the summers before college begins is a vital time to explore interests, build confidence, and prepare for the future. With elite university acceptance rates below five percent and academic pressures rising, how students use this window is more important than ever. Yet, in a crowded market of programs promising an edge, they struggle to find opportunities that are both credible and transformative. Universities are uniquely positioned to fill this gap. Across the country, residence halls, classrooms, and facilities sit dormant each summer that could become the foundation for life-changing pre-college programs. The challenge is turning that capacity into well-structured experiences for younger students. By aligning program vision with institutional strengths, universities can deliver opportunities that inspire students while advancing their own goals. With nearly 60 years of experience, Summer Discovery is a college readiness and enrichment program provider that has built a trusted model that connects universities with pre-college learners. Partnering with institutions, it maximizes facilities and dorm use by hosting pre-college, enrichment, and gifted programs for grades one through twelve. It also collaborates with renowned schools across the U.S. and internationally, including Oxford and Cambridge, to deliver world-class academics in dynamic, supportive settings. These programs allow students to explore majors while building essential skills for college success. “We take pride in offering these life-changing, immersive experiences to our students and watching their transformation into wiser, worldly, and more-rounded versions of themselves,” says Julia Strongwater Geffner, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer. With more than 300 courses across 12 fields of study, students can tailor a curriculum to fit their academic interests and career goals. They may choose an intensive, single-focus course or split their day between two disciplines. All programs combine rigorous academics with a fun, well-rounded summer experience. Students enjoy local excursions that reflect each campus location, such as Disneyland and beach trips at UCLA or hiking the Appalachian Trail near Dartmouth. Summer Discovery’s managed program division provides universities with a turnkey way to launch branded summer offerings without building internal infrastructure. The team handles staffing, safety, and logistics, allowing institutions to turn unused facilities into reliable revenue streams, an important asset in times of financial uncertainty.
Nursing Colleges
Designing Student-Centered Curriculum for Sport Industry
Ashley Sloper, Associate Director and Head of Professional Development, Sport Management, University of San Francisco
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Enriching Public Education with Equity and Collaboration
Dr. Sandra Lochhead, Director of Schools, Denver Public Schools
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Equity and Innovation Driving STEM Education
Rabieh Jamal Hafza, Director of STEM and Innovative Practice, Henry County Schools
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Exam Management: Connecting Educational Technology with Instructional Designers for Instructional Effectiveness
Diane Gavin, Executive Director, Center for Academic Innovation, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Building a Virtual Program from Scratch
Kenny Ward, Executive Director of Special Education, Oklahoma City Public Schools
IN MY OPINION
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Preparing Purposeful and Future-Ready Graduates
Brian H. Mendenhall, Senior Associate Director, Career Education and STEM, Wake Forest University
LAST WORD
Hospitality and Service Industry Training
Maximizing Mobile Ordering
Rich Perna, Associate Vice President of Hospitality Services, College of the Holy Cross
IN FOCUS
The Rise of Holistic Academic Enrichment Ecosystems
Pre-collegiate preparation is evolving into integrated enrichment systems, shaping students holistically for university admission and future careers, with an emphasis on lifelong learning and industry skills over mere academics.
The Changing Face of Literacy: Global Influences on School Reading Programs
Education is evolving literacy to include critical analysis, digital skills, and cultural responsiveness, fostering inclusive, student-centered reading programs for lifelong learning and global citizenship.
EDITORIAL
The Learning Continuum
Among the most reliable champions of this change is Richards Learning Systems, a standout in the school literacy space. With its flagship program, Sammy and the Magical Reading Chest, Richards Learning Systems offers a highly engaging, science-based approach that blends research with storytelling and multisensory techniques. It’s more than a curriculum; it’s a powerful foundation for literacy that inspires early confidence, curiosity, and achievement. This approach transforms reading into a gateway for lifelong opportunity and academic equity.
Meanwhile, pre-college enrichment and career-training institutions are expanding rapidly. Tech universities are preparing students for emerging fields, Catholic schools are emphasizing moral and academic development, and dental assistant programs are fast-tracking students into essential health careers. These institutions serve both as educators and as community anchors.
Technology plays a critical role here, too, especially in the way learning is personalized, tracked, and scaled. Programs are using data-informed methods to support diverse learners, improve engagement, and close equity gaps across socioeconomic backgrounds.
We feature insights from two leaders shaping this educational evolution. Ashley Sloper, Associate Director and Head of Professional Development, MS in Sport Management at the University of San Francisco, highlights the value of practical, immersive learning experiences that foster leadership, critical thinking, and adaptability. Cynthia Ogaz, Managing Director for the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, underscores that ongoing education must evolve with the learner—it’s not a one-time event but a lifelong responsibility.
This edition explores how education is moving from standardized to student-centered, from rigid to responsive. It’s a future built not just to teach, but to empower at every stage of learning, and every step of life.
