Readability is an innovative app that is designed to help new and struggling readers. This app was created by a team of child development professionals, reading specialists, education experts, and tech professionals. The goal was to provide struggling readers with the tools they need to level the playing field for all kids.

If your child is struggling with reading, this app may help them develop the skills they need to succeed. But first, you may have some questions about how the app works and how it will help your child become a better reader. Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions:

Do we read on our own, or have tutors?

Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the Readability app reads passages aloud to the reader then prompts the reader to read the same passage aloud. As the child reads aloud, the app will highlight the text that is being read, correct pronunciation errors, and notify the child when other mistakes are made, such as skipping over words.

How much is the subscription?

You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of the Readability app. Your card will not be charged during this free trial period. After this free trial period is over, Readability will cost $19.99 per month. Up to three readers can use the app for this low monthly price.

What is included with the subscription?

Subscribing to Readability will give you access to:

• Unlimited content for reading levels K-6
• Parent dashboard with data on your child’s performance, including:
  • Time spent reading
  • Accuracy
  • Words per minute
  • Comprehension scores
  • Books read
  • Report card email

If you have more than one reader on your account, the data provided in the parent dashboard will be separated by reader. This ensures parents can keep track of each child’s progress toward their reading goals.

Does Readability Tutor help with dyslexia?

Kids with dyslexia may be able to improve their reading skills by using the Readability app on a regular basis. The app will read passages aloud while your child follows along, which will help them improve their phonetic awareness and fluency skills. The speed at which the app reads aloud can be adjusted, so your child can slow it down in order to better follow the passage. If your child wants the app to repeat a specific word within the passage, they can simply tap on the word to hear it one more time.

Readability is also the only app of its kind that is designed with an interactive voice-based questions and answers feature. This feature allows kids to work on their reading comprehension skills and communicate with the app like they would with a reading tutor.

What age or grade is your program meant for?

The Readability app is designed for readers K-6. However, if your child has a reading or learning disability, they may benefit from using the app even after completing 6th grade.

Would it be too young for a 4th grader?

Fourth graders can greatly benefit from using the Readability app to improve their reading skills. Readability is designed to help new or struggling readers between reading levels K-6. The app contains a wide range of content available for each reading level.

Can homeschooling parents choose to start at a certain grade level?

The Readability app will automatically place your child at a reading level that is one level below their current grade level. This is done in order to build your child’s confidence in their ability to read, evaluate their current reading skills, and provide them with easier material while they get comfortable with the app. However, parents can change their child’s reading level at any time by adjusting the parent settings.

The app will also automatically notify parents if their child is ready to move onto the next reading grade level. This decision will be made based on the child’s progress within their current grade level. The app will analyze the child’s reading speed, pronunciation accuracy, and other factors to determine if the child is ready to advance. If you set goals for your child within the app, their progress towards meeting these goals will also be taken into consideration.

What is the reading level (grade or age)?

Every state and school uses different guidelines for reading levels. But we’ve kept it simple. Readability uses Lexile reading levels K-6.

The app also separates stories based on the Flesch-Kincaid system, which is one of the most widely used measures of readability. This system analyzes how difficult a passage is to read based on a number of factors, including total words, total sentences, and total syllables. Relying on this system to separate stories within the app ensures that your child will only be presented with passages that are appropriate for their reading level.

Does this help kids with special needs?

Readability can be used by all children, including those with special needs. The app will read passages aloud to your child so they can follow along with the text on their own. Listening to passages this way can help your child improve their phonetic awareness and fluency skills. Your child can adjust the speed at which the passage is read aloud at any time if they need to slow the pace down in order to keep up.

Your child can also ask the app to repeat a word simply by tapping on it. The app will reread the selected word as many times as necessary. This feature is beneficial to all children, especially those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who may have trouble paying attention to the passage as it is read aloud.

Kids with special needs can also benefit from the app’s interactive voice-based questions and answers feature. This feature tests your child’s comprehension skills and allows them to speak to the app just like they would speak to a reading tutor. It also keeps your child engaged and focused on the text.

What grade does this go up to?

Readability goes up to Lexile level 6, but older students who are struggling with reading can also benefit from using this app. Any child who reads at level 6 and below—regardless of their age—can improve their reading skills using this app.

Does this start from your child’s current reading level? For example, my child is a level K. Would it start from the beginning or at reading level K?

You will be asked to enter your child’s grade level when setting up the app. Based on this response, the app will provide age-appropriate content for your child to read. As your child progresses, the app will adjust their reading level based on how well they perform. If your child is performing well with level K content, the app may suggest moving your child to level 1 content.

Readability will initially start your child one grade level below their actual grade level. Doing this helps children gain confidence in their reading abilities so they are motivated to continue.

Can multiple children use the same subscription?

You can add up to three readers per subscription at no additional cost.

Who else can use Readability?

Although the app is designed for readers K-6, other readers may benefit from using it as well. Older readers, such as children in high school, may benefit from using the Readability app if they have not developed strong reading skills. Readers who speak English as a second language—regardless of their age—may also be able to improve their reading skills by using the Readability app.

If you have a question about Readability that is not included on this list, feel free to reach out to our support team for help. We are happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.