HATRIQA's Soccer Reader Method to Be Featured at Prestigious 2025 MERC Summit
Innovation in literacy education takes center stage at metropolitan Richmond's premier educational conference.
Breaking Barriers in Literacy Education
We are thrilled to announce that the Soccer Reader Method (SRM), developed by HATRIQA and supported by DrillBoard Ventures, has been selected for presentation at the highly anticipated 2025 Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) Summit in Virginia, USA. This recognition highlights our commitment to innovative educational solutions that address real-world challenges in literacy development.
The Soccer Reader Method will be featured in Session 11: "Supporting Literacy Skills for All Students" as part of the presentation titled "Goal! Scoring Big with English Language Learners and Reluctant Readers through the Soccer Reader Method." Kristin Thrower from Chesterfield County Public Schools will lead this interactive session, showcasing how SRM leverages the universal appeal of soccer to engage students who typically struggle with traditional reading approaches.
A Game-Changing Approach to Literacy
The Soccer Reader Method represents a paradigm shift in how we approach literacy for two key groups:
English Language Learners: By connecting reading materials to the globally beloved sport of soccer, SRM creates an immediate point of connection for international students, regardless of their native language.
Reluctant Readers: For students who typically resist reading activities, the program taps into existing interests and passion for sports, creating a bridge to literacy that feels relevant and engaging.
The method's selection for the MERC Summit validates what our early adopters have already discovered: when learning connects with students' sense of belonging, background knowledge, and interests, the results can be transformative.
Research-Backed Innovation
One of the key aspects of the Soccer Reader Method is its foundation in solid educational research. The program was developed through careful analysis of current research on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that increase text comprehension and language acquisition among both ESL students and reluctant readers.
Studies consistently show that literacy materials appealing to students' interests and cultural backgrounds positively impact both engagement and academic outcomes. The Soccer Reader Method puts this research into action with practical, classroom-ready materials.
Practical Benefits for Educators
Beyond its impact on students, the Soccer Reader Method offers significant advantages for educators:
Adaptable complexity levels: Materials cater to diverse reading abilities within the same classroom
Ready-to-use resources: Significantly reduced preparation time for teachers
Built-in differentiation: Addresses the challenge of providing differentiated instruction while maintaining whole-class engagement
About the MERC Summit
The Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) is a longstanding partnership between the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University and PK-12 school divisions in the metropolitan Richmond region. The MERC Summit is its annual gathering of key stakeholders who come together to collaborate around some of the most complex issues and exciting ideas in public education.
This prestigious forum brings together educational practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to work collectively on strategies that address complex challenges facing public schools. The inclusion of the Soccer Reader Method in this year's summit underscores its potential to contribute meaningfully to the future of literacy education and exemplifies the kind of innovative approach the MERC Summit aims to highlight.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Huguenot High School, 7945 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA 23225