Springfield-Chicopee School Districts Striving Readers (SR) Program

The Springfield-Chicopee Striving Readers Program implements two targeted reading interventions (READ 180 and Xtreme Reading) and one whole-school intervention (SIM-CERT) for struggling readers in grades 9-12 across five high schools in Massachusetts. READ 180 is an intensive literacy curriculum using computer-assisted instruction, small-group work, and independent reading to improve phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for students reading at least two years below grade level. Xtreme Reading uses explicit meta-cognitive strategy instruction focusing on vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and writing for students reading at or above fourth-grade level but at least two years below grade level. Both targeted interventions are delivered as 90-minute or 45-minute daily add-on classes to regular ELA instruction. SIM-CERT is a whole-school professional development intervention training teachers in Content Enhancement Routines to improve content literacy across all disciplines. Teachers receive initial training (4 days in Year 1, 2 days in Year 2) and ongoing coaching support from school-based literacy coaches. All interventions require substantial professional development and materials before implementation.