Adaptive Reader Founder Ethan Pierce holding up a copy of Frankenstein.
The Genesis of Adaptive Reader
Adaptive Reader began as a deeply personal response to struggle and perseverance.
Our founder, Ethan Pierce, faced significant challenges with reading and writing throughout his early education. By the end of third grade, he still hadn’t learned to read. He failed spelling tests. He felt the weight of academic struggles and the frustration that accompanied them. It wasn’t until middle and high school that Ethan’s dedicated teachers helped him transition from a struggling student to a successful scholar, leading him to earn a full scholarship to Harvard College.
These formative experiences instilled in Ethan a profound understanding of the barriers many striving students face. He recognized the abrupt academic shift from learning to read to reading to learn—a transition that can leave students who haven't reached grade-level reading expectations feeling as though any curriculum is insurmountable.
This realization became the seed for Adaptive Reader, a platform designed to ensure that no student is left behind due to linguistic or literacy barriers.
Our Mission
At Adaptive Reader, we believe that every student, regardless of linguistic or neurological differences, deserves the opportunity to succeed. Reading level is not a reflection of intelligence or potential. Our goal is to make literature and educational content accessible to all students, allowing them to engage in critical discussions, develop core skills, and build confidence while improving their literacy.
The Adaptive Reader Approach
Adaptive Reader is pioneering a print-first, AI-powered approach to differentiated learning. Our platform enables students to access texts at multiple reading levels and in over 30 languages, whether in print, digital, or audio formats. By offering side-by-side adaptations, we empower students to read at their own pace while maintaining exposure to grade-level content.
Our process blends AI with human expertise. While AI generates initial adaptations, our leveled texts are carefully reviewed by editors to maintain thematic integrity and accuracy. Additionally, our print-on-demand technology ensures that teachers can provide personalized books tailored to their students' needs, bridging the gap between digital tools and traditional learning.
Dignified Differentiation
Student agency and dignity are at the heart of Adaptive Reader. Our platform allows students to toggle between scaffolded levels independently, giving them control over their learning journey. Whether in our digital application or our customized paperbacks—which look identical on the outside—we create an inclusive reading experience. Passage markers in the margins align across different levels and languages, ensuring that every student can follow along in the same classroom discussion, regardless of their reading ability.
Unlike traditional edtech solutions that rely on student data collection and assessments, Adaptive Reader is built with privacy in mind. We do not require student accounts, ensuring that all students can access support without compromising their personal information.
Looking Ahead
We started Adaptive Reader with a focus on public domain classics widely taught in U.S. high schools, but our ever expanding library now spans K12. Our partnerships with publishers, schools, and education companies are driving innovation in print-on-demand, multilingual education, and AI-assisted adaptation.
Our future vision includes deepening our commitment to supporting bilingual education, preserving home languages, and ensuring that high-quality learning materials are accessible to every student worldwide. By continuing to refine our AI-powered translation and adaptation tools, we aim to create an unparalleled ecosystem of inclusive educational resources.
Join Us
We are on a mission to transform literacy and education. We invite educators, publishers, and partners to join us in shaping the future of accessible learning. Your feedback, stories, and collaboration are invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve.
Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, in every language and at every reading level.