We’re not failing to teach children to read.
We’re failing to help them keep reading.
Our latest white paper from reveals why reading outcomes stall and how we can rebuild them through engagement, not just instruction.
For over a decade, reading attainment has plateaued despite major improvements in early phonics. The evidence is clear: children are learning to decode, but too many are not becoming readers. This paper identifies the missing link: reading engagement and introduces a scalable solution to rebuild the reading miles children need to succeed.
The Problem
1 in 4 children leave primary school below the expected reading standard
Daily reading has dropped by over 50% since 2005Only 18.7% of children now read daily in their free time
The issue isn’t how children learn to read - it’s whether they continue.
The Insight
Strong phonics ≠ strong readers.
Once decoding is secure, progress depends on reading miles—the volume of reading over time.
But reading miles only accumulate when children:
Enjoy reading
Feel confident reading
Without these, reading simply stops.
The Breakthrough
The paper introduces ASR-enabled reading aloud a new model that:
Provides real-time feedback
Makes progress visible and rewarding
Enables independent practice at scale
This isn’t replacing teaching.
It’s enabling the practice children are currently missing.
The Evidence
Based on data from the National Read-Aloud Challenge:
83% of children increased reading frequency
89% increased enjoyment
86% increased confidence
Children read every 2 days on average
When engagement improves, reading follows.
Why This Matters
Reading is the foundation of:
Educational success
Economic opportunity
Social mobility
Yet poor literacy already costs the UK billions annually and impacts life outcomes at every level
This is not just an education issue.
It’s a system-wide challenge.
If phonics gives children the key,
reading miles determine how far they go.
This paper sets out how to rebuild those miles at scale.
WP1: Discover How Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Software
is Transforming Children's Reading Development
This in-depth report, commissioned by Auris Tech, reveals how Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) software is reshaping the landscape of children's reading education.
Understand the State of UK Children's Reading: Explore the latest insights on reading attainment and teaching practices in the UK.
Maximise Reading Skills Through Read-Aloud Practice: Discover how incorporating read-aloud sessions can significantly enhance children's reading development.
Harness the Power of Technology in Education: Learn how cutting-edge EdTech is transforming classrooms and how to navigate challenges to successful implementation.
Real-Time Reading Feedback with ASR: See how ASR technology monitors and provides instant feedback on children’s reading progress, making learning more interactive and personalised.
Proven Impact from Over 185,000 Sessions: Dive into real-world results from ASR-based read-aloud sessions, demonstrating the measurable benefits of this innovative approach.