Our Program Model
Achieve Now’s core programming possesses three features shown to be most effective in accelerating student learning.
We use highest impact practices
A research team meticulously combed through the existing research to find the practices proven to accelerate early childhood literacy instruction. They found five practices proven to move the needle, organizing them into five “buckets.” Our program features the three most impactful of these buckets: “High-quality structured tutoring,” “Include families in the process,” and “Training adults to teach specific reading skills.”
160.8% Growth
High-quality Structured Tutoring programs work with students either one-on-one or in small groups. To qualify, they must possess a defined curriculum; a discrete set of materials; and provide sufficient tutor training. Tutoring programs matching these criteria average an impressive 19.3 months of growth over a full year's implementation (7.3 additional months of growth)
One-on-one or small group instruction ›
One-on one sessions see first or second graders paired with adult volunteers from our corporate and community partner sites.
Small group instruction takes place at our school partner sites, with Achieve Now literacy instructors delivering the program to groups of no more than four students who are at the same reading level.
A clearly-defined curriculum ›
Our core curriculum features more than 80 lessons across three discrete learning tracks, giving us the capacity to target instruction to each student's individual needs.
The curriculum is systematic and explicit. It explicitly teaches students to link letters to sounds and blend the sounds to form words. It systematically builds and reviews skills, and then asks students to apply them to text. At the same time, it offers sufficient flexibility for us to differentiate instruction to suit each student’s particular needs.
Robust coaching materials ›
We provide coaches and students with all the materials they need to participate, including headphones, privacy folders, multi-sensory learning materials and extension activities. All materials work in concert to maximize student learning.
25-30 hours of coaching each school year ›
Our goal is for every student in our program to receive at least 25 hours of coaching per year. Each week from mid-October to late May, each coach-student pair works together for a full hour; small groups meet 2-3 times per week in 20- or 25-minute increments.
170% Growth
Including families to support reading interventions at home is a powerful lever for improving reading achievement. Programs make greater impact when families are provided with knowledge and resources on specific activities and exercises they can do at home to help children develop their language and literacy skills. Students in programs that include families in the process enjoy more than 20 months of growth over a year’s implementation (8.4 months of additional growth).
Responsiveness to community ›
We actively solicit input about which literacy supports are most valuable to families in the communities we serve. Listening to community experts, we align resources and supports with the needs they identify.
Provide families with knowledge ›
Each year, we prepare detailed interim and end-of-year progress reports for each student in our program. These provide clear, evidence-base context for each student’s status as a reader, empowering families to make informed decisions about their child’s education.
Access to resources ›
We support children's literacy development at home by providing families with resources and activities and event, including a menu of early literacy workshops.
Activities and Exercises ›
We provide families with learning activities from a variety of sources as well as handy videos featuring activities and exercises they can employ to teach and practice foundational literacy skills with emerging readers.
201.7% Growth
When students receive instruction that clarifies reading knowledge and provides explicit instruction in reading skills, they are able to master reading foundations. This requires that adult coaches are provided with the knowledge and resources needed to meet students’ specific needs. Students in programs that train adults to teach specific literacy skills see more than two full years of growth over a year’s implementation (12.2 months of additional growth).
Extensive embedded training ›
Volunteers receive more than two months of direct training before and after coaching sessions, including tips for maximizing the script, student redirection techniques, using appropriate correction language, developing rapport, and instilling a growth mindset in students.
Interim Coach-to-Coach training ›
At mid-year, we hold coach-to-coach sessions during which volunteers work together, guided by an Achieve Now literacy instructor, on developing best practices for instructional target areas.
Ongoing support ›
Achieve Now literacy instructors observe all weekly one-on-one coaching sessions, providing careful guidance, sharing coaching tips and tools, and suggesting targeted strategies.
Structured Feedback loop ›
Before and after one-on-one coaching sessions, our team offers coaches feedback and communicates action plans for student progress. At small group sites, student instructional plans are developed during grade-group meetings with classroom teachers and school administrators.
What we provide
Regular delivery of small group coaching sessions to thoughtfully scaffolded groups of no more than four students.
Differentiated instruction so that each student follows a curated, targeted instructional plan designed to maximize growth.
Management of all logistical details · including session schedules, coach-student pairings, attendance, and materials inventory and upkeep.
Precise 1-on-1 interventions from senior members of our instructional team for students most in need of additional supports.
Comprehensive training of volunteer coaches to ensure confident program delivery, optimal instruction, and maximum student understanding.
Careful guidance during weekly one-on-one sessions to deliver coaching tools and share effective strategies for navigating student struggles.
Rigorous checks after every curriculum unit to confirm student mastery over critical literacy components.
Meticulous tracking of student progress during each session and over the course of the school year.