The Navajo Institute for Social Justice(NISJ) is initiating a new Jump Start Reading Program for Navajo children in grades 1-6. The program uses computer technology, Microsoft products Word and Excel, and JAWS© to eliminate reading difficulties and give children a rapid boost in reading skills. The program also has a specially developed program designed by Institute President/CEO Dr. Scott Bray, which allows children to learn large numbers of new words by simply flipping single letters.

"Too many Navajo children are having difficulty learning basic reading skills," Bray notes. "Grades 1-3 are the learning-to-read stage of education. Grades 4-12 are the reading-to-learn stage. This program is a breakthrough in teaching children to read."

The program will begin on August 23, 2004. Children must be of average intelligence, can be in special education or regular education, be in grades 1-6, and should bring a favorite book with them when starting the program.

"We use a program called Kurzweil© which is also developed for the visually -impaired to scan the books and teach the children what they really want to read. This plays a big role in motivation," Bray notes.

Parents seeking information on program sites, dates, and other information, should contact the Institute, at (888) 528-2116, or email to sbray@nisj.org.
There is no program fee for Navajo children, who only must produce a Certificate of Indian Blood with Tribal Census Number.