Doing What Works: Evidence-Based Reading Instruction

Two years ago, challenged by poor reading scores, the Los Angeles Unified District gave its elementary schools the license to adopt any program they desired, as long as it was proven to teach phonics. Exactly 360 of 450 schools chose a phonics-based textbook series credited with promoting early reading successes in other urban school districts.

Scores released in October revealed, for the first time ever, first graders in Los Angeles outperformed the national average in reading and spelling on the Stanford-9 assessment. The turnaround demonstrates the program's potential, especially at Parthenia Street Elementary, where student enrollment, children qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and students for whom English is a second language are almost double the county's averages.

"We had hardworking teachers but we were going nowhere," said principal Marcia Jackman. "But with the new phonics program, we're beginning to see results--and it's encouraging."

Just one year after implementation, Parthenia Street made a 13-point gain on the Stanford reading exam and made equal gains in language and math. Jackman said the results are reflected not only on paper but also in the excitement of the children who rush up to her wanting to read.

Since then, the district has expanded this approach in a number of low-performing elementary schools and has increased the number of literacy coaches who train and work with teachers on a daily basis.