About the Intervention
System 44 is a foundational reading program for older struggling readers in grades 4-8 who have not mastered basic phonics and decoding skills. The program combines research-based phonics instruction with adaptive technology to improve word reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. Students receive approximately 20-25 minutes of computer-delivered adaptive instruction, 25-30 minutes of small group and individual work using high-interest leveled materials, and 5-10 minutes of whole class instruction daily. The program includes 25 series covering 160 topics across four strands: The Code (decoding), Sight Words (high-frequency words), Word Strategies (syllable types and word parts), and Success (reading connected text). Materials include the System 44 software, 44Book, Decodable Digest, 36-title paperback book and audiobook library, SAM practice worksheets, letter tiles, posters, flip chart lessons, and Sound and Articulation DVD. Teachers received a 1-day training in August 2010 plus 3 coaching visits from Scholastic staff during the school year.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on SRI reading comprehension
Positive effect: on SPI Sight Word Fluency
Positive effect: on SPI Nonsense Word Accuracy
Positive effect: on SPI Nonsense Word Fluency
Positive effect: on SPI Overall Accuracy
Positive effect: on SPI Overall Fluency
No effect: on TOSREC
No effect: on CTOPP Elision
No effect: on Woodcock-Johnson III Word Identification
No effect: on Woodcock-Johnson III Word Attack
No effect: on TOWRE Sight Word Efficiency
No effect: on TOWRE Phonetic Decoding Efficiency
No effect: on CST English-Language Arts
No effect: on SPI Letter Name Accuracy
No effect: on SPI Sight Word Accuracy
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Those with DisabilitiesPrograms & Services
General Education, Special Education Services, Title IDelivery Methods
Face-to-Face, Blended LearningDisability Support
Specific learning disability, Speech or language impairmentTarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsCitation
Beam, M., Faddis, B. J. & Hahn, K. (2011). Evaluation of "System 44." Final Report [2011] (ED613693). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED613693.pdf.
Study Demographics
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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