ABC compared to other providers

ABC’s copyrighted programs, teacher training and methodology of instruction were scientifically developed and designed for the rapid remediation of academic deficiencies in students who “for whatever reason” are not proficient at grade level in Language Arts (reading, comprehension, writing etc.) and or Math. “Reading and Math are the academic Cornerstones that support all other subjects and disciplines in academics” In 1986 ABC set the standards for our profession in Accountability and Affordability for parents by Guaranteeing that their children would, in 24 to 36 hours of instruction (6 to 10 weeks) be proficient at or above their grade level in Reading or Math, or we would continue to teach for Free* until they were.

Some restrictions apply*

Our History

John Cahal

Founder of the ABC Phonetic Reading Schools, felt first hand the frustration of watching one of his own children struggling to learn to read. He listened as his son’s teacher, the school psychologist and principal tried to convince him and his wife their son was learning disabled. Cahal’s wife, a psychologist, determined he wasn’t. Cahal became concerned with these professionals who would rather find something wrong with his son, than find a solution.

Cahal began looking for help. To his dismay, all the tutoring centers he contacted were using the same method that had failed his son. The method called Whole Language teaches word memorization. According to most studies, Whole Language was and is the number one cause of illiteracy in America today. Cahal decided to take matters into his own hands. His actions set into motion a chain of events that would change his son’s life, and thousands of other parents’ and students’ lives forever.

Cahal hired teachers and began training them in phonics. Using the program he tried to have adopted along with other phonetic materials, he opened the first ABC Phonetic Reading School ® in the fall of 1986. The school was a success however, not as successful as Cahal wished. “He set out on a mission to develop a phonics program that would teach every student wishing to learn to read, to read.”

Gathering together a team of experts in early child development and education, Cahal began to develop his comprehensive phonics program. After two years of research and development the program was completed. Cahal began using the program in his school with phenomenal success. On average his students’ reading skills were improving one and a half to three full grade levels. He could now assure students and parents a minimum full grade level of improvement. If not, he would guarantee to continue teaching the student for free until a full grade level was achieved. Cahal copyrighted the ABC Phonetic Program Set© in 1988. ABC’s reading program focuses on the neuropsychology of learning and applies it to the phonetic code of our language. Cahal’s team had developed a multi-sensory phonetic reading program.

In other words ABC’s approach addresses auditory, visual and tactile learning styles. This approach provides teachers and students the tools necessary for success. The result, multiple grade level improvement for remedial students and guaranteed at or above grade level reading skills for students in those schools who adopt ABC’s program.

Since 1988, ABC has opened and licensed multiple learning centers across the nation and in Canada. ABC’s program success has spawned charter schools and been adopted by public schools as full curriculum K-3rd grade material and in special education classrooms. John Cahal’s mission won’t be accomplished until every school in America retrains their current teachers in phonics and adopts his program, or one with comparable results. Not until Universities start teaching what works; phonics, to new student teachers seeking to become teachers of tomorrow will John have accomplished his dream and his mission.