Program Evaluation and Research

Reading Recovery Works!

• Studies [doc] show that Reading Recovery tends to be more cost-effective than referring children for special education services.

Since its introduction in the United States in 1984, Reading Recovery has served more than 1.6 million children, making it one of the nation's oldest scientifically-based literacy interventions.

Reading Recovery received the WWCs highest marks for literacy intervention programs

In an independent study, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), a branch of the United States Department of Education, demonstrated that Reading Recovery has positive effects—the WWC's highest rating—on students' alphabetic skills (phonemic awareness, phonics and letter recognition) and general reading achievement. The report also found potentially positive effects on fluency and comprehension outcomes, their next highest level of evidence.

Reading Recovery data from Massachusetts

• Since 1991, when Reading Recovery began in Massachusetts, 49,000 first graders have been served throughout the state.
• During the 2005-06 school year, 428 Reading Recovery teachers worked with 3,220 children in 261 schools across 84 school districts.
• In 2005-06, 78% of students in Reading Recovery who completed their lessons reached grade level proficiency in reading and writing.
• Among 2,008 children who completed their lessons successfully, only 7 were referred and placed in special education for reading difficulties.

Massachusetts Reading Recovery Student Outcomes: 2007-2008

In 2007-2008, 81% (2,124 students) of Reading Recovery students in Massachusetts completed the full series of lessons by either reaching grade level or being recommended for longer-term support. Of all children served, 61% (1,596) reached grade level within 20 weeks.

• Of those with complete interventions, 75% (1,596) reached grade level within 20 weeks.
• Of those with complete interventions, 25% (528) were recommended for longer-term support. Although these children did not reach grade level, they did make progress in reading and writing and continued making progress within their regular classroom program after their Reading Recovery lessons ended.
• Only 3% of Reading Recovery students with complete interventions were placed in Special Education for reading and writing difficulties at the end of first grade.

Reading Recovery Has Long-Term Positive Impact

• Researchers at Lesley University have looked at student results on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), finding that former Reading Recovery children pass the state-mandated standardized test at higher rates than the overall student population. Read the study [pdf].
• A study of children in Holyoke, MA, conducted by Massachusetts Teacher Leader Laurel Dickey found that Reading Recovery children pass the third grade MCAS exam at higher rates than the district as a whole.
• In a study of Reading Recovery students [pdf] in New York, former Reading Recovery children were found to perform similarly to 4th graders across the state of New York on the 4th grade test of English Language Arts.
• Researchers at Emporia State University in Kansas have examined the performance of former Reading Recovery students on the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, a nationally recognized test of literacy skills. The study [pdf] concludes that the effect of Reading Recovery lasts at least through fourth grade.
• Scholars at the University of Iowa have also conducted research to examine the longer term effectiveness of the program and come to similarly positive conclusions. Using the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), researchers found lasting effects among former Reading Recovery students. Read a summary of the Iowa study [doc].
• Reading Recovery has also been cited as the primary reason for such high rates of passing among fourth graders on Maine's state-mandated standardized test,as reported in an October 2003 article in the Bangor News.

Reading Recovery and English Language Learners

A study on the effectiveness of Reading Recovery on English Language Learners [doc] versus native English speakers in Fall River, Mass. found that Reading Recovery worked equally well for English Language Learners as for native speakers.

Reading Recovery saves money

A study of the Boston school district [doc] finds that the district saves approximately $1.1 million a year in special education costs because of Reading Recovery interventions.

Lesley University offers Reading Recovery training in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Find a Reading Recovery training site near you.

Reading Recovery Results

In 2007-2008, 2,621 students in 224 schools across Massachusetts participated in Reading Recovery.

• 81% (2,124) completed the full series of lessons by either reaching grade level or being recommended for longer-term support.

19% did not complete the full series of lessons either because they began too late in the school year (14%), moved (2%), or for some other reason (3%). Of all children served, 61% (1,596) reached grade level within 20 weeks.

• Of those with complete interventions, 75% (1,596) reached grade level within 20 weeks.
• Of those with complete interventions, 25% (528) were recommended for longer-term support. Although these children did not reach grade level, they did make progress in reading and writing and continued making progress in their regular classrooms after the end of their Reading Recovery lessons.
• Only 3% of Reading Recovery students with complete interventions were placed in Special Education for reading and writing difficulties at the end of first grade.