Reading Horizons Announces ESSA Level III Study with Positive Literacy Outcomes for Lumpkin County Schools’ Fourth and Fifth Graders

Reading Horizons Elevate includes enhanced digital tools that provide personalized learning experiences tailored to the unique needs of older students.

KAYSVILLE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reading Horizons® has released a 2023–2024 study showcasing the impact of its Elevate curriculum in Lumpkin County Schools, Dahlonega, GA. Lumpkin County chose Reading Horizons® Elevate (RHE), aligned with the science of reading and rooted in Orton-Gillingham principles, to enhance literacy among 272 fourth- and fifth-grade students. All three district elementary schools implemented RHE in grades 4–5 as their Tier 1, 2, and 3 phonics curriculum.

A collaborative study with LearnPlatform by Instructure revealed significant positive outcomes in Lumpkin County during the 2023–2024 school year—its fourth consecutive year using Reading Horizons. This study satisfies ESSA evidence requirements for Level III (Promising Evidence) due to the positive, statistically significant correlational results associating higher RHE software course progress with better student NWEA MAP Reading performance in grades 4–5.

“Our partnership with Reading Horizons underscores our commitment to ensuring every student achieves reading success,” said Jennifer Moss, Director of Curriculum, Implementation, and Assessment at Lumpkin County Schools. “The results highlight our educators’ dedication and the impact of innovative instructional resources and student software, like Reading Horizons, in empowering teachers and students.”

Key highlights from the study include:

• Students who engaged with RHE software demonstrated substantial gains on the NWEA MAP Reading assessments (published by Northwest Evaluations Association).
• Classrooms with higher RHE course completion rates outperformed their peers, highlighting the effectiveness of the curriculum in improving literacy outcomes.

“This study showcases the power of evidence-based literacy instruction in transforming student outcomes,” said Stephanie Myers, Chief Strategy Office at Reading Horizons. “We’re thrilled to see how educators in Lumpkin County have embraced our program to empower their students with essential reading skills.”

Reading Horizons® Elevate combines direct teacher instruction with supplemental student software. Educators use real-time diagnostic tools to personalize instruction, ensuring tailored support for every learner. RHE is proven effective for full-year, single-semester, and summer school implementations.

See how Reading Horizons® Elevate can benefit your district this semester, summer, or next school year.

About Reading Horizons

For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has empowered educators to combat illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest advancements in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K-12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction.

About Lumpkin County Public Schools

Lumpkin County Schools in Dahlonega, GA, has five PK–12 schools, serving 3,749 students and 258 teachers. The population is 92 percent White, 1 percent Black or African American, 5 percent Hispanic or Latino, 1 percent Asian, and 3 percent Two or More Races. Approximately 57.75 percent of families are low-income.