Our Program Model
Achieve Now’s core programming combines 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.”
ACHIEVE NOW’S
HIGH-QUALITY TUTORING
One-on-one or small group instruction ›
One-on one sessions see first or second graders paired with adult volunteers or older peer coaches remotely or at partner or school sites.
Small group instruction takes place in the classroom, where teachers or school staff deliver the program to groups of three or four students who are at the same reading level.
A clearly-defined curriculum ›
Our core curriculum features a sequence of 38 lessons, supplemented by a three-tiered set of pre-lessons designed to give lower readers the skills they need for success in our core curriculum.
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 lesson books, student skillbooks, intervention 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 30-minute increments.
ACHIEVE NOW’S
COACH TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Two-part initial training ›
The first part introduces coaches to our materials and gives them tools for maximizing the script, strategy use, gradual release of processes, and developing content mastery in students.
The second part gives coaches tools to create a more fertile learning environment, emphasizing student interaction, developing rapport, and instilling a growth mindset in students.
Interim tune-up ›
At mid-year, we identify the highest leverage coaching practice for the volunteers at each site based on the level of their students. With this in mind, we prepare and deliver a one-hour training specifically designed to build the skills that, when developed, will have the greatest positive impact for that group of students.
Ongoing support ›
Achieve Now reading specialists attend all weekly one-on-one coaching session and regularly observe daily small group sessions. During each visit, we provide careful guidance, share coaching tips and tools and suggest effective 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, feedback and student instructional plans are communicated during bi-weekly meetings with school staff.
What we provide
Multiple program models and levels of support, allowing partners to select programming plans that align with their particular needs and available resources.
Regular observation of daily small group coaching sessions accompanied by bi-weekly meetings to offer feedback and present impactful action plans.
Remote or in-person coaching options for maximum responsiveness to instructional demand and partner capacity.
Differentiated instruction so that each student follows a curated, targeted instructional plan designed to maximize growth.
Management of all logistical details including transportation, session schedules, coach-student pairings, seating charts, and inventory 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 lesson to confirm student mastery over each of the program's critical literacy components.
Meticulous tracking of student progress during each session and over the course of the school year.