North Carolina Read To Achieve PDF Download

Learning to read by the end of third grade is the gateway to lifelong success. When students are not able to read by the end of third grade, their risk of falling behind grows exponentially. In fact, research shows that nine out of ten high school dropouts were struggling readers in third grade. Students reading below grade level are almost six times more likely than proficient readers to not finish high school on time. Recognizing this fact, in 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly established the "Read to Achieve Program" (RtA). RtA is a K-3 comprehensive reading policy that focuses on improving early reading development with the goal of all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Since the passage of RtA, North Carolina has seen a number of positive gains among its young readers. From 2011 to 2015, the state's fourth graders saw an improvement of half a grade level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading section, moving from an average scale score of 221 to 226. North Carolina also saw a decrease in students scoring below basic on the 2015 NAEP reading, complemented by an increase in students scoring at or above proficient the same year. "Foundation for Excellence in Education" (ExcelinEd) contracted with "RMC Research Corporation" to conduct a study to better understand stakeholders' perceptions of RtA. In particular, ExcelinEd wanted to know: (1) What support strategies and technical assistance did the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and school districts provide? (2) How was information about RtA shared with districts, schools, teachers, parents and communities? (3) What recommendations do stakeholders have for improving the implementation process? And, (4) In addition to improved student outcomes, what impact has RtA had on districts and schools? The report provides methodology and results. Appended to the report are: (1) Overview of Read to Achieve Components; (2) State Literacy Leader Interview; (3) Key SEA Staff Members Focus Group; (4) District Literacy Leader Interview (via telephone); and (5) Teacher Survey.