Switching from The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts to All About Reading: which level to check first

Find the last The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts level your child worked in to see where to look in All About Reading, how strong the evidence is, and the free placement test to give next.

In short

Checked Oct 17, 2026. Built from the same table as our reading switch helper and methodology page.

All About Reading placement test (Levels 1 to 4) and Pre-reading checklist

The publisher says its level numbers do not correspond with grade levels. A parent gives the test with the child; the child should not work alone.

All About Reading covers: phonics and reading. The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts covers: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, writing.

The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts to All About Reading, level by level

Last The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts levelFinished it: look first atAbout halfway: look first atEvidence
Pre-KLevel 1
If the test shows gaps: Pre-reading
Pre-readingConfirmed by publisherOpen in the helper
KindergartenLevel 2
If the test shows gaps: Level 1
Level 1
If the test shows gaps: Pre-reading
Confirmed by publisherOpen in the helper
Level 1Level 3
If the test shows gaps: Level 2
Level 2
If the test shows gaps: Level 1
Supported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 2Level 4
If the test shows gaps: Level 3
Level 3
If the test shows gaps: Level 2
Supported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 3Past Level 4, the last levelLevel 4
If the test shows gaps: Level 3
Supported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 4Past Level 4, the last levelPast Level 4, the last levelSupported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 5Past Level 4, the last levelPast Level 4, the last levelSupported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 6Past Level 4, the last levelPast Level 4, the last levelSupported by parent reportsOpen in the helper
Level 7Past Level 4, the last levelPast Level 4, the last levelSupported by parent reportsOpen in the helper

Why these levels

The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts: The Good and the Beautiful says its language arts levels are slightly advanced and most children can begin on grade level. Sources: The Good and the Beautiful shopping guide (PDF): language arts slightly advanced; most begin on grade level.

All About Reading: All About Reading places by skill. Its Level 1 test checks letter knowledge and blending, and Level 2 adds silent E and longer words. A parent review lines Level 3 up with second-grade reading; the publisher says Level 4 is not fourth grade. Sources: All About Reading placement page: level numbers do not match grades, All About Reading Level 1 placement test (PDF): readiness skills, All About Reading level descriptions, All About Learning Press: Level 4 is not fourth grade, Parent review: Level 1 kindergarten, Level 2 first grade, Level 3 second grade skills.

A match is only as strong as its weaker side. Confirmed by publisher means both publishers state the level we used, not that they confirmed the pairing. Supported by parent reports means at least one side rests on reviewers or parents. Unverified means we found no source for at least one side.

How to make the switch

  1. Note the last The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
  2. Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
  3. Give the All About Reading placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
  4. Compare the All About Reading level's scope and sequence with what your child already covered.
  5. Use free samples or trial lessons for a week before buying the full level.
  6. Check the sale timing before you buy. When All About Reading usually goes on sale. When The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts usually goes on sale.

Going the other way? See All About Reading to The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts. Comparing more programs, or not sure a switch will help? The reading switch helper starts with that question.

Questions parents ask

Does All About Reading have a placement test?

All About Reading placement test (Levels 1 to 4) and Pre-reading checklist: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/placement/. The publisher says its level numbers do not correspond with grade levels. A parent gives the test with the child; the child should not work alone.

Is Level 1 in The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts the same as Level 3 in All About Reading?

Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Level 1 in The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts is at about the point where Level 3 in All About Reading begins, so that is the level to check first. Evidence level: Supported by parent reports. No publisher publishes a crosswalk between these two programs.

Why might my child place differently in All About Reading?

How we placed The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts: The Good and the Beautiful says its language arts levels are slightly advanced and most children can begin on grade level. How we placed All About Reading: All About Reading places by skill. Its Level 1 test checks letter knowledge and blending, and Level 2 adds silent E and longer words. A parent review lines Level 3 up with second-grade reading; the publisher says Level 4 is not fourth grade.

Should we switch at all?

Often a pacing change in the program you own works first: slow down, review, skip ahead or trim problems. A switch makes the most sense when the format or content does not fit your child or family. The switch helper walks through this first.

When does All About Reading usually go on sale?

Latest dated offer on our list: Oct 6 to 13, 2026. Fall Sale: 10% off All About Reading, All About Spelling and All About Math. (Reported.) Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/all-about-learning-press/

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