Several studies (e.g., Bowe & Kaufman, 2001; Evmenova, 2008; Linebarger, 2001; Rickelman, Henk, & Layton, 1991) indicate that captioning and subtitles can help strengthen the following reading skills of students with learning disabilities, ELLs, and struggling or beginning readers:

• Reading speed & Fluency

• Word Knowledge

• Decoding

• Vocabulary acquisition

• Word recognition

• Reading comprehension

• Oral reading rates

Research has shown that watching videos has a positive impact on comprehension skills, and combining viewing with text or captions appears to boost vocabulary acquisition, addressing skill deficits of struggling readers (Koskinen, Wilson, Gambrell, & Neuman, 1993; Koskinen, Knable, Markham, Jensema, & Kane 1995; Linebarger, 2001). 

Because lower level readers may tend to avoid reading activities, their exposure to print is minimal and development of literacy skills continues to fall behind that of their peers. Maximizing print exposure through the use of captions, both at home and at school, can add many hours of reading practice and literacy skill development.