An internal randomized controlled trial evaluation, initiated in 2010, is currently underway. The randomization and data collection are conducted by Reading Partners staff, overseen and analyzed by Dr. Deborah Stipek, Dean of the Stanford School of Education. Preliminary analyses by RP show that RP students significantly outperform peers in the same classroom.  Standardized assessments have shown that 89 percent of RP students measurably accelerate their progress in reading, gaining on average an entire grade level in reading skills for every 25 hours in the program. 

RP will plan for another rigorous evaluation that assesses the program’s effectiveness in increasing reading proficiency and sustaining this improvement in multiple school sites. With this second evaluation, RP is expected to attain proven effectiveness by 2014.

EMCF has approved a three-year investment in Reading Partners (RP, with a first-year award of $2 million, to support implementation of its plan for growth in five states and four cities, and rigorous evaluation.  Awards in years two and three, which are contingent on grantee performance and renewal of federal SIF funding, will provide up to $1.5 million, for an overall investment of up to $3.5 million over three years.

For information on what this grant will support, see Details of 2012-2014 Investment.

For more information on Reading Partners, see www.readingpartners.org.