How It Works · The Science
Comprehension gains you can cite.
Independent review, published research, and rigorous studies across a range of readers back what Cascade does for reading comprehension.
Why Syntax Matters
Syntax is the backbone of comprehension.
Decades of reading research point to syntax as integral to reading comprehension, enabling readers to combine and organize words and phrases to form meaning from text. By making this underlying structure visible, Cascade provides the reader a map to the key relationships driving understanding.
Working at the speed of thought.
Comprehension happens in real time. Readers are linking each word to the ones around it as they go, making instant connections that drive meaning.
Vocabulary isn’t the bottleneck.
Readers can understand every word individually and still misread the sentence, because meaning depends on how the words are put in relation to one another.
Written language is more complex.
The move from early readers to textbooks and technical writing brings longer, more layered sentences that readers rarely encounter in spoken language.
The science
The evidence behind the reshape.
To put theory into practice, we test Cascade with controlled studies, peer review, and independent evaluation.
★★★★
(out of four)
Four of four stars in an independent Johns Hopkins review of Cascade’s research base and rationale.
Rigor
Peer-reviewed published studies
Comprehension gains measured across controlled, independent studies.
Breadth
Results across reading populations
Children to adults. Native to non-native speakers. Neurotypical to neurodivergent.
Innovation
13 patents issued (with more pending)
US and International protection for Cascade’s reading technology.
Try Cascade on your own text
How we study it
Advancing language science. For everyone.
Cascade’s research program spans populations, methods, and partners.
Depth — one population, closely studied
University of Illinois eye-tracking study
80 adult readers, measuring rereading and fixation patterns sentence by sentence.
2 separate longitudinal studies
4th & 5th graders tracked across extended periods in Cascade Format.
Breadth — many populations, one standard
K–12 classrooms & adult learners
Including English-language learners and neurodiverse readers with ADHD and dyslexia.
Independent third-party review
Johns Hopkins University’s independent evaluation, plus ongoing academic peer review.
Backed by expertise
Guided by the people who study how readers actually read.
Chief Scientist
As a Language Scientist for 20+ years, I am excited about Cascade because it is the first technology that explicitly incorporates linguistic principles to support reading comprehension. As the Mom of a child with dyslexia and developmental language disability, I have seen the need for this technology in my own daughter. Being able to decode words does not equate to being able to comprehend texts. Cascade provides a bridge to text meaning in a way that makes real comprehension accessible for all learners.
Julie Van Dyke, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Cascade Reading
VP of Research
My scientific work has focused on where readers misunderstand text, so I cherish the opportunity to develop and validate a system that helps them understand it. Everyone has the ability to become a better reader, and it is extraordinarily fulfilling to provide tools to help them accomplish their goals.
Jack Dempsey, Ph.D.
VP of Research, Cascade Reading
Want to go deeper on the studies that drive our work?
The evidence is solid. See it work on your content.
Talk to us about your platform and your readers. We’ll show you what Cascade looks like on your own text.
Good to know
Common questions
Is there research behind Cascade Format?
Cascade is backed by multiple studies across age groups and reading profiles, published in peer-reviewed journals. See the Research Portfolio.
Is Cascade Reading evidence-based?
Yes. Cascade has conducted rigorous research which has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including two separate longitudinal studies following 4th and 5th graders and a University of Illinois eye-tracking study of 80 adult readers. See the Research Portfolio.
Is there real evidence this helps readers who struggle with reading, ADHD, or dyslexia?
Yes. Four in five adults with ADHD or dyslexia preferred Cascade Format over traditional text. See the Research Portfolio.
What's the research basis for Cascade?
Decades of reading research point to syntax as the backbone of reading comprehension. Cascade’s scientific team has built upon that foundation by conducting rigorous research which has been published in peer-reviewed journals. See the Research Portfolio.
Has Cascade been independently evaluated?
Yes. Cascade’s research has been rigorously reviewed by independent experts through the peer-review process, and received a top rating following a Johns Hopkins review of our methods and approach.
Is Cascade a screen reader or text-to-speech tool?
No. Cascade doesn’t convert text to audio or support braille output; rather, its focus is cognitive accessibility.
Does a reader need to disclose anything to use Cascade?
No. Cascade is a standard reading option available to everyone. There is no diagnosis, disclosure, or accommodation request required.
Does Cascade hold any patents?
Yes. 13 patents issued, with more pending, covering Cascade’s reading technology in the US and internationally.