Open Court Reading Proves Effective for Reading Success

McGraw-Hill Education has released a new report called "Results with Open Court Reading," which highlights eight case studies of schools or school districts that increased reading scores despite a variety of challenges.

The examples serve as inspiring models of effective teaching practices, and all of the sources credit the significant increases in their students' literacy skills to Open Court Reading, published by SRA/McGraw-Hill. The report was released in partnership with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

"We support the spirit of this report, which focuses on getting results in the classroom. It exemplifies how schools and districts can identify barriers to learning and implement effective solutions that impact academic growth and ensure student success," said Dr. Thomas Houlihan, executive director, Council of Chief State School Officers.

"We commend the schools profiled in this report for their leadership and the collaborative actions taken by educators to address learning challenges and build a curriculum that improves literacy skills," said Gene Carter, executive director and chief executive officer, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Open Court Reading is a comprehensive reading and language arts program for Pre-K through Grade 6. Developed from more than 40 years of intense study and field-testing, Open Court Reading incorporates sound teaching practices from scientific research. In the schools and districts where the program has been implemented, not only have students' reading test scores increased, but teachers and principals also are seeing gains in student achievement overall.

   The profiles in the report include:
   * Geddes Elementary School, Baldwin Park, Calif.
   * Gulliver Academy, Coral Gables, Fla.
   * Hale Road Elementary School, Painesville, Ohio
   * Lakeside Elementary School, Worley, Idaho
   * Leon County School District, Tallahassee, Fla.
   * Lincoln Elementary School, Toppenish, Wash.
   * Poudre School District, Fort Collins, Colo.
   * Washington D. Smyser Elementary School, Chicago, Ill.

Each profile includes a written description of the school's student population, history of problems with poor reading, writing and comprehension skills, steps taken to strengthen the school's reading programs, and graphs of measurable results. Readers are also encouraged to contact the schools' leaders for additional information. Updates are also provided on Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District and Los Angeles Unified School District.

"If you give good teachers Open Court Reading, they can take the kids to the moon," said Jan Borman, Principal of Dunn Elementary School within the Poudre School District.

  Review the Report
  The report may be downloaded at
  http://www.mheducation.com/news_room/MHE_results/MHE_results.htm

To request printed copies of the report, contact: Dr. Charlotte Frank, senior vice president, McGraw-Hill Education, Research and Development, (212) 512-6512, charlotte_frank@mcgraw-hill.com.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of electronic and print products for the pre-K through 12th grade, higher education and professional markets. It is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's and BusinessWeek. Founded in 1888, the Corporation has more than 280 offices in 37 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

SOURCE: McGraw-Hill Education

CONTACT: April Hattori
McGraw-Hill Education
+1-212-904-2078
april_hattori@mcgraw-hill.com
Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
+1-212-904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/
http://www.mheducation.com/news_room/MHE_results/MHE_results.htm