Journalist Ann Doss Helms visited Oakdale Elementary in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to observe Takela Martin, a teacher assistant of 19 years, who this year has a new assignment. "Every day she calls in 18 kindergarteners, one at a time, to do reading lessons.

The story examines how Once is using high-dosage tutoring not to help students make up ground lost during pandemic disruptions but as a foundation in kindergarten or first grade to help ensure students never fall behind.

The story continues: "Powell says she’s also seeing “a huge gain” compared with the middle of last year. She said this year 72% of first-graders started the year at grade level; she predicts that when current kindergarteners move up that will top 85%.

But it’s one thing to be enthusiastic about a program as it’s playing out … and another, more difficult thing, to prove it’s making a difference. That’s where the Stanford research comes in."

In the months ahead, Stanford will analyze data on the impact of the Once Early-Reading Program on student literacy. We can't wait to share the updates!

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