Adaptive Reader Founder Ethan Pierce holding up a copy of Frankenstein.
The Genesis of Adaptive Reader
Adaptive Reader began with a deeply personal journey of struggle.
Our founder, Ethan Pierce, experienced significant challenges with reading and writing throughout his early education. Academically suffering for years with undiagnosed dyslexia, Ethan did not learn to read by the end of third grade. He failed spelling tests. He felt the weight of academic struggles. It was not until middle and high school that Ethan’s dedicated teachers helped him transcend his academic experience from struggling student to successful scholar. His personal transformation resulted in a full scholarship to Harvard College.
These formative experiences instilled in Ethan a profound understanding of the barriers many striving students face. He recognized the abrupt academic expectation required when transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school. Rather than learning to read, students must read to learn. For students who have not reached grade-level reading expectations, this shift can make any curriculum seem insurmountable.
This realization became the seed for Adaptive Reader.
Our Mission
Adaptive Reader's mission is rooted in ensuring that every student, regardless of linguistic or neurological differences, can succeed. We believe that student reading levels do not reflect either their intelligence or their potential. Therefore, our goal is to make classic literature accessible to all students which allows them to engage in critical discussions, to develop core skills, and to build confidence while simultaneously improving their literacy.
The Adaptive Reader Approach
Adaptive Reader amplifies rather than simplifies texts. Our digital reading application “chunks” classic literature into short, manageable passages. Students can see the original text side-by-side with our scaffolded versions, which are available in multiple reading levels and languages. This dignified and differentiated approach allows students to gradually build the skills they need to unlock and appreciate the original text.
Our process involves a blend of technology and human expertise. We use AI to assess the difficulty of texts and create initial adaptations, however, our human-in-the-loop model ensures personal quality. Each of our leveled texts is carefully reviewed and refined by human editors to ensure that the adaptations maintain integrity, including their original themes and complexities.
Dignified Differentiation
At Adaptive Reader, student agency and dignity are paramount. Our platform allows students to toggle between scaffolded levels of text independently, thus, giving them control over their learning journey. Whether in our digital application or our print-on-demand paperbacks, which look identical on the outside, we strive to create an inclusive environment. This design consideration extends to internal features such as the passage numbers in the paperback margins. For instance, the numbers mark the same point in the story across different levels and languages, thus, fostering a seamless and respectful learning experience.
Looking Ahead
We started Adaptive Reader with a focus on public domain classics widely taught in high schools across the United States, however, we are expanding to include more diverse voices and world literature. Our future plans include leveraging AI to support even more languages and dialects, thus, helping to preserve home languages and offering personalized learning experiences.
Join Us
We are on a mission, and we are deeply committed to improving literacy and education for all students. We invite educators, parents, and students to join us on this quest. Your feedback, stories, and support are invaluable as we continue to grow and improve. Visit our website, reach out, and help us shape the future of accessible and differentiated education.
Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to reap what they sow: success.