Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

The research behind Hoot Reading

At Hoot Reading, everything we do is guided by research. From how lessons are structured, to how teachers assess progress, to how children interact with the app, our program is built on what decades of literacy science tells us helps children learn to read.

Designed for Teaching Online

The Hoot Reading App was intentionally designed to replicate in-person instruction, with tools that enhance online learning and maximize engagement.

Originally incubated at the Nokia Research Lab in collaboration with Sesame Workshop (the creators of Sesame Street) and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, the Hoot Reading App was built specifically for teaching reading remotely in a safe, child-friendly environment. 


Sesame Street Image - Cropped

 

Recognized for High-Quality Tutoring

Hoot Reading has earned the prestigious Tutoring Design Badge from the National Student Support Accelerator at Stanford University, recognizing Hoot’s excellence in instructional quality, program effectiveness, tutor selection, instructional dosage, and data privacy.

Final Badge – Hoot Reading

 

Grounded in the Science of Reading

Hoot follows a Structured Literacy approach, grounded in decades of research on how children learn to read. Instruction is systematic, skill-based, and guided by ongoing assessment, so teachers can meet each child exactly where they are in their reading development.

 

Proven Through Research & Real-World Impact

Hoot Reading’s effectiveness has been evaluated through multiple independent studies and large-scale programs:

  • A Randomized Control Trial (RCT), the gold standard in product efficacy research, conducted by the National Student Support Accelerator at Stanford University found that students who received Hoot’s 1:1 virtual tutoring made greater reading gains than similar students who did not receive tutoring.
  • An independent efficacy study led by Dr. Susan B. Neuman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education and Professor of Literacy Education at New York University (NYU), found that students receiving Hoot tutoring made meaningful gains in reading skills.

  • Evaluation of outcomes from large-scale partnerships with Ontario school districts showed that Hoot's assessment-informed instruction helped students improve quickly, even when they were behind grade-level expectations.

 

What This Means for Your Child

Research shows that children make the most progress when instruction is personalized, data-informed, and delivered by trained teachers who meet them exactly where they are. 

That’s exactly how Hoot Reading works.

If you have questions about the research behind Hoot Reading or how Hoot can support your child, we’re always happy to help.

📩 families@hootreading.com