Bethesda, Maryland — EPS Learning, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy solutions, is pleased to announce that its SPIRE® study recently received Level 3 certification to Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards. SPIRE is a research-backed, comprehensive, systematic literacy and multisensory reading intervention program that has supported reading success for all striving readers for over 30 years through a curriculum aligned with the science of intensive, systematic reading.
LXD Research conducted a third-party study to determine the relationship between SPIRE use and student reading achievement in 13 schools in the Martin County School District, Florida. The study's positive and statistically significant results support the relationship between SPIRE progress and improved literacy skills for special education students. The results were robust in grades 3, 4, and 5 after controlling for key predictors such as prior Florida Statewide Standardized Assessment (FAST) scale scores, gender, LEP status, grade, and race/ethnicity.
This study met the following criteria to achieve ESSA Level 3:
- Correlational design; comparing students who were new to the program with those who made more progress in the program.
- Appropriate design and implementation per group of at least 2 teachers and 30 students.
- The research uses a program form that can be replicated.
- Statistical control through covariates
- At least one statistically significant positive result
Dr. Janine Walker-Caffrey, Chief Academic Officer of EPS Learning, commented on the company’s recent evaluation: “We are very proud of the impactful support SPIRE has provided to readers across the country for decades and are delighted by the recent ESSA evaluation! While this is an incredible achievement, we are only just beginning our enhanced efficacy research efforts. Future research will demonstrate again This effective, evidence-based program for reading intervention is still having a positive impact on students becoming fluent readers. “As research continues to be published, we are excited to have achieved the next step in ESSA certification.”
SPIRE was developed by Orton-Gillingham (OG) Fellow Sheila Clark-Edmands and is based on the principles of structured literacy and the OG approach. The program incorporates evidence-based best practices for reading and language development. It also addresses the skills that are essential to fluent reading acquisition: phonemic awareness, phonics, handwriting, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Each SPIRE lesson uses 10 steps that enhance student learning and retention by rapidly and sequentially connecting multisensory pathways to the brain to ensure spelling mapping and automaticity.
Introduction to EPS Learning
EPS Learning has been working with educators for over 70 years to develop literacy as a springboard for lifelong learning and opportunity. The 20+ literacy solutions included in the EPS Literacy Framework are based on the science of reading and support all stages of instruction and all foundations of reading, from Pre-K through Grade 12. EPS Learning provides evidence-based interventions and personalized professional learning to help students move toward growth, mastery, and success. To learn more, visit www.epslearning.com.
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