Personalized Instruction

Boost Reading: Personalized Instruction

Boost Reading is a literacy acceleration and remediation program based on the Science of Reading that uses adaptive technology to deliver personalized learning instruction for K–5 students. The engaging world of Boost Reading adapts to each unique reader, and your child can use the program during school hours and independently at home.

We recommend that caregivers assist their child by helping them log in at home. Students log in via Classlink. Your child’s teacher may also download and print a QR code or unique username and password that students can use to log in. Reach out to your child’s teacher if you’re unsure or did not receive login information.

Logging In
Log in through CPS ClassLink using your child's CPS Google credentials:

• Enter Your Child's CPS Google Username: 
  •  [YOGFirstInitialLastname@cpsd.us (ex. 23asmith@cpsd.us)]
•  Enter Your Child's CPS Google Password:
  •  (grades 3-5): MM DD YYYY (student birthdate)

Caregiver Tips

• Practice logging in with your student consistently until they can log in independently.
• Keep their login information in a single place so they know where to go if they forget it!
• Make sure your child has a set of headphones and a quiet place to work online. Boost Reading is personalized to your child’s needs, so you don’t need to (and shouldn't!) assist them with their learning. Once they can log in, they’re ready to start using the program. 
• If your child is having trouble with the content, Boost Reading will adapt to provide them with additional support and instructions within the game. For this reason, it is not recommended that caregivers provide assistance. While it can be hard not to offer your child help, the program is carefully designed to provide the level of support each student needs to move forward.

Questions / More Information
Reach out to your child's teacher and/or check out the Caregiver Hub:

• Visit the Boost Reading Caregiver Hub >>
• Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí >>

Recommended Weekly Minutes for At-Home/Out-Of-School Personalized Instruction
Grades K-2 (Boost Reading): 45 minutes per week (15 minutes per day x 3)
Grades 3-5 (Boost Reading): 45-60 minutes per week (15-20 minutes per day x 3)

Create a Home Schedule That Works For You!
Developing a consistent schedule for program usage is highly recommended. 

mCLASS Screener Caregiver Hub

Every K-2 student completes the mCLASS literacy screener 3x annually. Based on over 30 years of research, mCLASS® is considered the gold-standard for literacy assessment and intervention. It includes efficient, one-minute measures of critical literacy skills, and a built-in dyslexia screener. The results allow caregivers to stay informed, and provide educators with the data needed plan meaningful, targeted instruction to meet each student's needs. 

• More about Literacy Assessments for Caregivers
• Visit the mCLASS Screener Caregiver Hub >>

i-Ready: Personalized Instruction
This page includes information about i-Ready Personalized Instruction. For information about the i-Ready Diagnostic Screener, click here.

iReady Personalized Instruction is an online math & reading program that 3-8th grade students can access during and beyond school hours (at home, during after school programs, over vacations, when absent). The program accelerates students' learning by creating a unique sequence of personalized lessons based on each student's diagnostic data. 

Students who do not have access to home-technology can receive a loaner Chromebook for the year. Reach out to your school's family liaison for details and support.

i-Ready Family Center (3-8)
The i-Ready Family Center is the place to learn how you can support and encourage your student’s success with i-Ready. 

• Personalized Instruction for Caregivers (Video)
• 2023-24 CPS Caregiver Webinar
• Translated Guidance

Recommended (Out-Of-School) Weekly Minutes
Grades K-2 (Boost Reading): 30-45 mins. each week (10-15 mins. / day x 3)
Grades 3-5  (Either Program): 45-60 mins. each week (15-20 mins. / day x 3)
Grades 6-8  (i-Ready): 80 mins. each week (20 mins. / day x 4)
Grades 9-12  (i-Ready): 80 mins. each week (20 mins. / day x 4)

The Benefits of i-Ready Personalized Instruction (Video)

Create a Home Schedule That Works For You!
Developing a consistent schedule for program usage is highly recommended. 

i-Ready Personalized Instruction: Caregiver FAQ

What Are Personalized i-Ready Lessons Like?
Each lesson is designed to be:

• Authentic and culturally responsive. Literacy and math concepts are connected to real-world scenarios, history, science, and high interest topics using videos, interactive elements, and excerpts from diverse, high quality novels.
• Engaging and challenging, with opportunities for students to go back and correct errors, receive feedback and attempt appropriately challenging material.
• 15 - 20 minutes per lesson. Students can start and stop as needed, as the program will save their work. 

When Do Students Use Personalized Instruction?

• Students in grades 3-8 are able to access their lessons at home, during after school programs, when absent, and during school closures.
• Some teachers may choose to provide time for students to work on their personalized lessons during the school day, particularly during small-group opportunities.

How Many Minutes Should Students Spend In The Program?
40-50 minutes in each subject, per week. (45 math + 45 ELA). It is not recommended that students exceed these minutes. Recommended: 4 days per week for 20-25 minutes each day.

How Do Students Login To/Access Personalized Instruction?

• Students login to the program by clicking here: Classlink
• Students use their CPS Google account and password. This is usually their year of graduation with their first initial and last name. (ex. Jane Doe would be “27jdoe@cpsd.us”) Passwords are usually their 8-digit date of birth. (ex. 03042011)

How Do Students & Caregivers View Scores & Progress In the Platform?

• Students and caregivers can view students’ scores by clicking on the . Students and caregivers both login through Classlink using their students’ username and password - there is not a separate login for caregivers.
• Students and parents/guardians can also access real-time learning data, including scores on individual lessons and quizzes, and progress with specific skills. To do this:

What if My Student Needs a Chromebook at Home? 

• If your student does not have access to a computer or tablet at home to use i-Ready, please reach out to their teacher to request a loaner Chromebook. 
• Loaner Chromebooks are typically provided within 2-3 days of a request and are loaned to students for the entire school year. 

What if a student needs internet support at home?

• If your student needs internet access at home to support their use of i-Ready, please reach out to their teacher or your family liaison to inquire about support options through CPS.

What does it mean if my student logs in to access Personalized Instruction and they see a message "you have no work assigned or your assessment may be hidden?"

• The reason there are no lessons is likely because 1) they did not take the diagnostic or 2) the student’s diagnostic placement indicated that they are performing at a high school level. The program doesn’t offer lessons beyond advanced 8th grade.

Where Can I Find More Information About i-Ready?

• Families can view a 20-minute recorded version of our caregiver webinar here: CPS i-Ready Video for families (20 minutes). Translated versions are available on the cpsd.us website.
• Families can access i-Ready Family Center to receive tips, tutorials and home-learning resources. 
• i-Ready resources are translated into Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Haitian Creole, Hmong, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yupik. 

Have other questions? Reach out to your child’s teacher or family liaison!