Parent Testimonies
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These comments were originally published on the Barton Reading and Spelling site and are republished here with permission from Susan Barton.
My second grade-daughter hated school and often came home crying. She complained that the other kids laughed at her. I was concerned about my daughter’s skills and horrified that she hated school!
My daughter began the Barton Reading System in October. I am thrilled to report her progress. In just two months, her reading improved by 20 words per minute. She now loves school. She also loves to read. She still has more work ahead, but she loves “doing Barton.” Thank you for such a wonderful program.
Susan Garcia
Pleasanton, CA
Kellie finished all 10 levels of the Barton Reading & Spelling System. It was worth every penny.
My daughter would not be in the National Honor Society, making all A’s and A-’s without the Barton System.
But more importantly, it restored her self-esteem!!!!
I am so thankful for this program. It saved her life – many, many times.
Paula Dillner
Pilot Grove, MO
I never thought that I would ever see my son read for pleasure. He is only on Level 4 of the Barton program, but he is now reading novels. Not only is he reading, but he is comprehending what he reads.
His teachers are ecstatic with the progress he has made since the beginning of the school year.
Needless to say, I am extremely happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Perdita Smith, parent
Carlsbad, CA
My daughter, Liz, is 9, homeschooled, and in 4th grade.
She got off to a much slower reading start than her brother, but I figured it was just her style. Then in 2nd grade, when her reading was not improving, she worked out every trick imaginable to keep from reading out loud to me, and any reading was becoming torture for both of us.
Her older brother had loved playing the phonics game, and he picked it up amazingly fast. For Liz, it was like a cruel punishment.
I didn’t know what was going on, but the only reading disorder I knew the name of was dyslexia. So I did an internet search. I was amazed how other parents were exactly describing my daughter.
Now that I had a diagnosis, I needed a solution. More internet searches. I came across the Barton System, watched their video, and decided to give it a try.
We are currently in Level 6. Her reading has improved so much it is amazing. Today she was asked to read out loud at church. She hesitated for only a second before she agreed to read a passage, unrehearsed, in front of 30+ people. The only word that tripped her up was “idolatry” – not a word she comes across too often in her 4th grade readers. I was so proud I was bursting.
Before Barton, Liz had wanted to read at church like her older brother, but when we tried to practice even the simplest reading, she would skip words, read them wrong, and quickly get embarrassed.
Now Liz reads for pleasure at night, is reading at grade level, and is gaining in fluency and speed every day.
Thank you for giving my daughter the gift of reading.
Theresa Daviet
Las Cruces, NM
Sebastian was SO excited to read a “story” yesterday. He has a younger brother who is reading stories every day, so he has been waiting to be able to read one himself.
Then today he told me, “Mom, this is a great program. I’m really becoming a good speller. The finger spelling works great! I’m so excited. I can’t wait to read another story.”
He’s quite a talker, so this is a paraphrased version, trying to show how happy he is with this program, how confident he’s becoming, and that he ‘s now ENJOYING working on reading.
Thank you again for all of your help, and for this wonderful system that moms and dads can pick up and give as a gift to their children.
Sara Anastasi
Grove City, PAWasted Thousands of Dollars
Before We Found BartonI have been looking for an effective solution to my 10 year old’s reading challenges ever since I started homeschooling her in Kindergarten. We have done Brain Gym, Learning Rx, and spent a year going to a Sylvan Learning Systems Center 8 hours a week. We spent thousands of dollars but saw only limited improvement.
She is extremely intelligent, and it didn’t make sense that she had reading challenges. She is very articulate, has an advanced vocabulary, and learns very effectively when information is presented orally.
When our COVA teacher suggested we check out your website, I did — and was amazed. My daughter fit many of the indicators of dyslexia. At that point, she had been on an IEP for three years with very little improvement.
I have been using the Barton System since the beginning of last school year. I have seen incredible improvement in my daughter’s reading ability
Cynthia Bernard
Colorado Springs, CO
Joshua is in the middle of Level 4, and his teacher is very impressed with his progress.
Joshua brought home an Amelia Bedelia book from the library. He has NEVER read a book on his own before. He sat down and read it, cover to cover (42 pages) all by himself this past week. We are so excited! This is wonderful progress!
A few weeks ago, he looked at me with a book in his hand and said, “Mom, I never thought I’d say this, but I think I like reading.”
He is a sponge, and so eager to learn. But up until now, all the programs we tried were like sand, bread crumbs or confetti. A sponge just won’t soak up those things. Your program is the liquid he’s been waiting for.
Tammy Baldwin
Lancaster, NY
My son just completed level 3, and wow!!! I have seen such a huge difference not only in his reading and spelling, but his self-esteem continues to improve. Thanks for everything.
Christina Fox, homeschool parent
and former Special Ed teacher
Warrenton, VA
Things here at Skagit Family Learning Center in Washington are going great.
For example, once my daughter completed Level 2 of the Barton System, we had her retested with the Phonemic Awareness Test (the PAT). Before Barton tutoring, she was at the 5th percentile. After just 6 weeks of Barton, she scored at the 67th percentile.
Her self-esteem went up like a rocket and keeps on soaring.
Sommer Holt
LaConner, WA
I am tutoring my son (age 8) using your program. I started tutoring him in March 2011. At that time, he was at the 2nd percentile for reading. I just got his testing results from December 2011. He is now at the 48th percentile!!!!!
To say I am thrilled is a complete understatement.
Denise Plambeck
Chicago, IL
Thank you for the Barton System. It has changed my daughter’s life.
We felt she was underperforming in school. After finding your website, we had her tested for dyslexia.
I started tutoring her this last summer. This fall, she made 6th Grade Honor Roll, working independently. The most exciting part is that she told me she actually volunteered to read in class for the first time ever!
Tina Mukai
San Jose, CA
Thank you so much for this reading system. This is the first time I have seen improvement in my son’s reading. He has also noticed the improvement, which has made a huge difference in his attitude.
I only wish I had found this system earlier — when he was in first grade.
Karon Bobbitt
Vernon, AL
What a Wonderful System
First, I would like to thank you for the wonderful program you have developed. I wish I had found it sooner! I have worked on reading with my dyslexic daughter for years, and sometimes felt more frustrated than helped by our former curriculum.
I love how the Barton System is broken down so that the student is learning one thing at a time. Your spelling and syllable division rules, and any exceptions, are clear.
I love knowing exactly how I’m supposed to be teaching the program.
I especially appreciate how available you make help for those using the Barton System. I’ve not needed it yet, but I’m thankful knowing it’s just an e-mail or phone call away!
Kim Baar
Jerome, ID
When our son finished second grade, the school evaluated his reading level. It was 1.9 to 2.3.
After only 2 months of tutoring him myself over the summer using your system, he has improved greatly. The school tested him at the beginning of this year, third grade, and his reading is now 3.2 to 5.0.
His self-confidence is so much better than it was a year ago. He will even read out loud in Sunday School in front of his friends.
Recently, there was a story about a dyslexic boy in their lesson. He raised his hand and shared that he has dyslexia, too. Jonah explained that he was born with it, and that he can read just as well as any of them, it just sometimes takes him a little longer.
Bless you for what you have done for our son.
Eileen Carter
Gainesville, FL
My husband and I are truly amazed by the progress our 9-year-old son has made. In the past 13 months, he has gone from not being able to read to not being able to put books down.
He is reading “Animorphs” at the moment, and he likes to read out loud to me on short drives. Recently he said to me, “I’m your live audio book!”
Emily Horne
Encinitas, CA
I’ve been very pleased with my son’s progress. His reading has improved as well as his writing. He has more confidence in reading, and he’s willing to read aloud now.
His confidence level is higher, so he enjoys school more. He will now pick up a book and read it on his own, where he never would before. I could not be happier with his progress.
Kathy Bertolini
Pleasanton, CA
