Zinc Learning Labs

About Zinc Learning Labs

Zinc Learning Labs provides a web-based literacy program designed to enhance the reading comprehension and vocabulary of middle and high school students. The company was established in 2016 by Matt Bardin, who also serves as the CEO. Bardin's background includes a degree from Princeton University, experience as a public school teacher in New York, and a role as a founding director of Teach for America. His journey into ed-tech was driven by his experience in tutoring and test preparation, which began with the founding of Zinc Educational Services in 2001. This experience underscored his belief that genuine learning, rather than test-taking tricks, is the key to improving student scores, a philosophy that is foundational to Zinc Learning Labs.

The company's primary clients are middle and high schools, as well as individual students and homeschoolers across the United States. Zinc Learning Labs operates on a business-to-consumer and business-to-business subscription model, offering annual and semi-annual licenses on a per-student basis. The platform has been integrated into the digital curriculum of a major publisher, expanding its reach to thousands of schools. The core of the business is its online platform which delivers reading instruction to students from a 3rd-grade level up to college-level proficiency.

Zinc Learning Labs' product is a research-backed system that focuses on teaching students *how* to read complex texts. The platform includes several key components. "Ignition" is an auto-leveled tutoring program designed to produce significant reading level growth in a short period. "Lift Off" uses AI to create a personalized and differentiated learning path for students, offering engaging articles and book excerpts based on their interests and reading level. The platform also features gamified vocabulary instruction, close reading exercises with video support, and standards-aligned comprehension quizzes. A key differentiator is its methodology for vocabulary acquisition, which employs a spaced repetition technique of priming, encoding, practicing, and using words to move beyond rote memorization. For educators, the platform provides comprehensive reporting tools to track student progress, mastery of standards, and areas of interest.