Oxford Area School District’s Commitment to Teacher Training Results in Dramatic Improvement in Student Reading Test Scores

Implementation of American Reading Company’s ACTION 100 Leads to More Students Reaching Proficiency on State Tests

Oxford, Pa.—For the first time since 2004, all Oxford Area School District K–8 schools have met or exceeded the state’s requirements for student proficiency in reading—success that is due in part to the district’s implementation of American Reading Company’s ACTION 100 response-to-intervention accountability model this past fall.

Two of the district’s schools—Nottingham (grades 2–4) and Hopewell (grades 5–6)—were listed in the School Improvement category after having not met the state’s requirements in 2009 for Adequate Yearly Progress. Schools are placed in this category when students do not meet specific benchmarks for reading and/or math proficiency on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), or specified attendance, graduation and test participation rates. Both Oxford schools went from School Improvement to having made Adequate Yearly Progress in just one year—a remarkable feat given Oxford’s higher-than-average special education population.

When compared to their test scores as third-graders in 2009, 40 out of 43 special education students showed improvement in their reading scores when tested in fourth-grade this past school year. Similarly, 198 out of the 225 fourth-grade general education students at Nottingham improved their reading scores on the PSSA. Out of that group of 198, 152 increased their scores by 100 points or more.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond A. Fischer credits the instructional leadership in the buildings as one of the driving factors behind the improved test scores. The instructional leadership was supported by ACTION 100 (Response-to-Intervention framework), which the district implemented using stimulus funds in fall of 2009. The literacy initiative is designed to ensure formative assessment of independent reading while also training teachers and administrators on how to assess, identify and monitor student reading progress. Teachers took part in 30 days of weekly on-site training, where they were introduced to the reading program materials and worked side-by-side with American Reading Company coaches to enhance their knowledge of reading instruction.

“The coaches came back every week and modeled quality reading instructional practices for our teachers,” said Dr. Fischer, adding that the persistence and urgency the coaches exhibited was motivating for the teaching staff. “The teachers at Oxford are dedicated to continuous learning and the result of that learning this year has been evidenced in tremendous growth in student achievement.”

American Reading Company CEO and Founder Jane Hileman said ACTION 100 makes teacher quality the constant, and not the variable.

“Schools are successful when their teachers have the right training and expertise, and we commend Oxford Area for its commitment to the professional development of its staff,” said Ms. Hileman. “Clearly that commitment is making a tremendous difference in the culture of the school district and the ability of its students to read independently.”

ACTION 100’s element of accountability kept teachers engaged. When coaches would come back to examine student progress cards, it was clear which students were meeting reading level expectations and which ones were not. Working together, American Reading Company coaches and Oxford teachers could pinpoint strategies for helping individual students progress with their reading skills.

“They helped us to see that meeting the needs of students with varying abilities as an exciting challenge that could be accomplished,” she said. “One of our goals was to have a whole building of reading specialists, and that’s what we were able to accomplish with American Reading Company.”

About American Reading Company

American Reading Company transforms school cultures to create sustainable academic achievement through training, management, and monitoring. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in King of Prussia, PA. Today, more than a million students in 2,100 schools across 420 districts in 41 states participate in the company’s programs, which include ACTION 100, 100 BOOK CHALLENGE and RESEARCH LABS.