Ted Hasselbring

Leading software creator most proud of results

Ted Hasselbring is best known as the creator of Read 180, a reading software program now managed by Scholastic, Inc. Read 180 is in more than 10,000 schools and has been used by more than 1 million students. The program builds fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Hasselbring returned to Peabody in fall 2006 after teaching for six years at the University of Kentucky. Previously, Hasselbring taught at Peabody from 1982 to 1999.

Read 180 started at Peabody as a pilot project in Orlando, Fla., schools. “They contacted us because they had a problem with a high dropout rate, a high truancy rate, and significant behavior problems,” Hasselbring said. “When they analyzed these kids, they found out that none of them could read. So they realized, ‘we don’t have a dropout problem, we have an illiteracy problem.’”

Hasselbring is currently interested in exploring a math application based upon the principles of Read 180.

“As a researcher, one thing that you want to know is that your research is making a difference out in schools. I hear weekly from teachers and kids about how their lives have changed because of Read 180,” he said.

“The Peabody faculty comprises very good researchers, and as we learn things at Peabody, the faculty is very good at bringing that cutting-edge research to the classroom.”

Ted Hasselbring

• Research Professor of Special Education
• Research Focus: Educational software development, technology-based language and math curricula
• Constantly Surprised by: Exceptional faculty and students