by Jayne Smithson


In 1983, Judy Kranzler, educator and businesswoman, returned from France after teaching at the International School of Paris and at the Teacher Training College associated with UNESCO, and started a small after-school tutoring business. Rhino Reading's name was changed to The Active Reading Clinic in 1985 as Judy's Reading Revolution™ method took shape. The Active Reading Clinic became a registered non-profit corporation in December 1992 and moved several times before settling into our present location in north Walnut Creek. Our multi-sensory lessons continue to be offered in a one-on-one environment from Reading Revolution™ certified teachers. We currently employ 17 staff members and serve 35 students.

In 1992, ARC set up and funded an Adult Center for non-traditional learners for the Contra Costa County Library's Project Second Chance Adult Literacy Program (PSC) with a grant from HUD. Building on that success, ARC started a second session for PSC learners with a grant from the Van Loben Sels Foundation and the Lowell Berry Foundation. In 1994 ARC used donor contributions to strengthen our infrastructure and increase program opportunities, which resulted in expanded outreach programs with Byron Boys Ranch, Alameda County School District and San Francisco's WAY-IN Program.

In 1996, the focus of ARC shifted to serving our neighborhood students and expanding programs in the East Bay communities. In 2004 we added our highly acclaimed Fletcher's Place early literacy preparedness program for preschool age children. Our plans for the near future include partnering with after school programs to bring the successful Reading Revolution™ method full circle, as we continue to serve a new generation of non-traditional learners.

At the Active Reading Clinic, we believe that most people, whether children or adult, who have been labeled as having a problem, are able to learn to read and write when they are supported in using their own individual learning styles. Often, students who are difficult to teach have learning strengths or styles based in a form of intelligence other than linguistic or logical - the most common learning styles addressed in reading programs. These students are often called "learning disabled" when, in fact, teachers simply have not been teaching them on their own terms and according to their own unique ways of learning. These are learners who do not learn easily when sitting, listening to teachers talk, reading textbooks and filling in worksheets.

Many non-traditional students learn best by using their hands and bodies and by interacting with others. The Reading Revolution™ method used by the Active Reading Clinic incorporates physical, musical, graphic, visual, auditory and interactive activities into a framework for teaching reading mastery to all ages.

Reading mastery is the key to lifelong learning. At the Active Reading Clinic, we believe that reading is the single crucial skill which empowers learners to gain satisfying employment and to become informed, successful citizens.