<p>Is anyone familiar with this program? My S received a pamphlet about it from his school, and I am wondering if it is worthwhile. It's not very expensive: $122 for 5 80-minute sessions, during the 1st full week of classes. The students bring the homework from their regular classes, so there is no additional work.</p>
<p>My S's reading speed has never been a problem, but increasing it can't be bad, right? I am especially interested in the other purported advantages: budgeting study time, organizing lectures notes & etc, preparing for tests in a more organized manner. He can definitely improve in those areas.</p>
<p>So, does anyone have any experience with this (or similar) programs? Any other wisdom to offer?</p>
<p>I used to teach Evelyn Wood. Speedreading is a skill. To do it right you have to change the habits you’ve had since you began reading and that’s not so easy. Also, you have to keep using the new skill so that it becomes part of you. It’s hard to self-teach.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting this question, DragonLady – I’m interested in opinions, too. S’s reading speed ia a little slow, and with the short, intense terms at WPI, I’m also a little concerned about study skills, time management, etc. I was thinking of having him do the Baldridge program, figuring it couldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Is the Baldridge program like Evelyn Wood speedreading? I took that course in HS when I’d run out of other classes to take my senior year. I never really ended up carrying through with those speed reading methods – changing habits was hard, as momoftwins notes.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about it, but S got a mailing from his university about it, too. The cost at his university is $165 for a two-week, 10-session program.</p>
<p>Hum. No one here seems to know anything about the program, and I have googled (with various creative search phrases) to no avail. Bizarre.</p>
<p>CBBBlinker, I emailed the Director of Academic Advising at WPI, to get her opinions on the program. I asked about what it provides in terms of helping with organizational skills and test prep skills. She said that the Baldridge program concentrates mainly on reading comprehension. She went on to say that WPI provided an “academic coaching” program, where they meet with the student 2 times a week to discuss weekly goals and a plan to meet those goals. That sounds perfect for my S, so he will do that instead of the Baldridge program. (See you on Aug 23rd!)</p>
<p>Hi DragonLady, I just came upon your post re Baldridge Program and WPI’s academic coaching program. My daughter just started at WPI and I was curious as to how the academic coaching worked out for your son. I am a little nervous about the fast paced 7 week terms and my daughter’s ability to manage her time effectively.
Also, did you find that WPI lived up to its promise to provide sufficient support for the students?</p>
<p>I highly recommend the academic coaching program at WPI. My S struggled during his first year, and they provided excellent support. He meets with his coach twice a week, and she has been outstanding. He has some learning disabilities, weakness in time management, and a general lack of maturity. As he begins his 2nd year, we’re still on the edge of our seats regarding his academic performance, but I really can’t praise the coaching program highly enough.</p>
<p>WPI also provides some tutoring programs (MASH - math & science help), but I can’t tell you anything about those. My S did not use them.</p>
<p>I understand that this post is offered much later than the thread was originally started but in case anyone is considering entering this program I thought I’d give a thumbs up. Let me state that I am in NO way currently connected with the Baldridge Program but that many moons ago I was employed by the company and traveled the world teaching it for two years. I see from the string that they seem to be offering different programs at different schools (the school signs up for the program they want to offer) and typically (at least the programs I taught) were three weeks long. As with any course, for those students who really wish to improve their reading speed and comprehension as well as learn good study skills, this program works very well and they will come away satisfied that their parent’s money was well spent. I took the program as a student before teaching it and when I was actively using the program read well over 1000 words per minute. Even today - decades after I taught - my reading speed is still above average (although not over 1000 words any longer). Any professional can use the ability to read faster and I whole-heartedly recommend the program. Hope that this information is of assistance.</p>
<p>I’m writing to offer a heads-up to other parents. </p>
<p>My daughter signed up for the course, expecting a stimulating course on reading and study skills, to supercharge the beginning of her freshman year at college. Instead, what she found by the second day of the course was a disorganized, glacially-paced drill. She determined that the course would be a waste of her time, and suggested that I seek a refund. I sought a refund, only to encounter the organization’s refund terms, which state that any refund must be requested at least 4 days BEFORE the course starts. My request was summarily dismissed. </p>
<p>This is NOT an organization that stands behind its work! Buyer beware!</p>