Reading difficulties affect students’ academic success through the K–12 years and beyond, making a preventive approach essential. Reading intervention in the early grades is the strongest preventive action
schools can take. For many students who experience early difficulties with reading, intervention puts them on track to succeed later. However, it is important to maintain intervention options throughout the K–12 grades because many students continue to struggle with reading beyond the elementary grades. Intervention programs that provide specialized reading instruction outside the classroom are prevalent, but these programs are not feasible in many schools due to a lack of resources, personnel, or space, so interventions take place within the classroom. Both approaches can yield positive results.