MCI Resources

MCI (Making Connections Intervention) is a unique blended learning solution that provides targeted literacy intervention for struggling readers in middle and high school.

At the heart of the program is explicit and direct comprehension instruction. Through carefully scaffolded lessons, students learn to use skills and apply strategies to master comprehension. The blended model integrates the best of teacher-led, face-to-face instruction with engaging, individualized online instruction to maximize the depth, intensity, and effectiveness of the intervention.

Reach your Struggling Adolescent Readers

Woven through every lesson are multiple opportunities to build students’ vocabulary and fluency. Additional support for students struggling with decoding or writing skills can be found in two components MCI Word Study and MCI Writing.

The Student Experience

Students take the MCI Pre- and Post-Tests: Placement and Progress Monitoring Using The Lexile Framework® for Reading at the beginning of their MCI intervention and at the end of each level. Short, three-minute Maze Tests can be scheduled to progress monitor students. Unit Skill Tests check progress with the focus skills at the beginning, middle, and end of each unit. Optional assessments are also available.

Students access their current MCI assignments on a video monitor in the lobby. They can open their lockers to view Video Introductions, Interactive Skill Lessons, My Words Cards, and Skill Cards, or to customize their smart-phone Helper Guide. Unit Completion Certificates are accessed via the Trophy Case.

After students watch a video introduction to build background for the unit, the teacher guides them through texts and activities in their Student Editions.

Adaptive software ensures that students are reading texts that are challenging but not frustrating, and receiving the appropriate degree of support and corrective feedback from the Helper Guide.

Depending on students’ needs, MCI offers coordinated lessons in word study and the writing process, and support for helping students apply comprehension skills and strategies in their independent reading.