The Curriculum and Instruction Division is seeking permission to purchase Achieve 3000 for all students in grades 4-10. Achieve 3000 provides individual reading levels for each student, text sets and activities that are aligned to the Florida Standards and at the appropriate level to encourage reading progress and mastery of the standards on a blended learning platform. Achieve 3000 is one of the nation’s leaders in differentiated literacy solutions. Achieve3000 is a set of three different grade appropriate programs. KidBiz3000 (grades 3-5), TeenBiz3000 (grades 6-8), and Empower3000(grades 9-12).

Achieve 3000's web-based software engines determine a student’s reading level and deliver grade-appropriate content that is precisely customized to individual needs. Students will first take an online Lexile assessment tool for accurate placement in the program in May of 2017. This enables progress to be made immediately and scheduling decisions for the 2017-18 school year to be made. Following this, students receive level-appropriate reading and writing assignments daily. All students in a classroom read about the same topic, but the passages and follow-up activities adjust to their Lexile Level. Writing activities are connected to daily reading, and all content and assignments are correlated to state standards. The accompanying lesson guides offer a roadmap for implementing instruction in a Whole Group/Small Group Rotations instructional model. Reassessment of reading levels takes place throughout the school year, ensuring that students are always working within their instructional zones. In addition, program reporting provides teachers and administrators with real-time diagnostic data on student performance in and out of school. The reports, available 24/7, enable individualized intervention and remediation on the strategies and on state standards.

Remediation and enrichment activities are paramount in assisting students in reaching their full potential based on their individual reading level.  Text selections with standards aligned questions that provide multiple perspectives, from multiple genres are needed to meet the demands of the standards.  Many passages are also aligned to the much needed support in science and social studies content areas.  The increased emphasis on technology mandates the need to incorporate blended learning opportunities daily.  Opportunities for growth surround the need for teachers to deliver lessons to a diverse population with varying needs and remedial practices to assist students in achieving standard mastery.  Achieve3000 provides a vehicle for teachers to teach the same lesson to the entire class while differentiating based on individual student Lexile Levels.  Remediation occurs through lessons that align to standards and provide students skill building for comprehension and vocabulary based on ongoing Lexile Level Sets.  As shown through the data below, the blended learning opportunities provided through Achieve3000 are increasing the reading levels of our Intensive Reading students currently using it.  Results from the recent mid-year assessments show that these students are averaging more Lexile growth than was initially expected. Achieve3000 will provide the district an opportunity to level set all students this year in order to better serve their individual needs and also avoid multiple scheduling conflicts in the fall.  Achieve3000 will be utilized as the blended learning platform for students in fourth to tenth grades during the 2017-18 school year.  This shift will result in better alignment with standards and test item specifications. Incorporation of Achieve3000 in the instructional day has been successful in our Intensive Reading classes.  Continual assistance to help teachers use available data to determine instructional next steps and select reading materials which meet the text complexity necessary to increase student achievement will be provided throughout the school year.

Achieve3000 also works to prepare our students and close the achievement gap in the areas of Career and College Readiness as indicated in the chart below:

Previously, teachers created their own tests in Performance Matters, so there wasn’t a uniform process for all teachers to use to assess, instruct. or monitor their students in Reading.  Teachers were not able to compare their students’ progress to other students statewide.  Historically, each school throughout the district chose their own interventions and instructional methods from class to class.

The chart below indicates the grade level performance of CCDS students in grades 3-10 on the 2015-2016 FSA in English Language Arts (ELA):

Every school throughout the district will be using the same processes for assessing, instructing, and monitoring teaching and learning.  This type of uniformity will provide us with a common and more efficient educational model in which to make more informed, intentional, data-driven decisions that benefit students.

Achieve3000 is proven effective at accelerating literacy gains for all students. Achieve3000 has a 15-year track record of accelerated literacy growth for learners of all ages and ability levels.

Nationwide studies prove Achieve3000 can double or even triple student’s expected Lexile reading gains in a single school year. Achieve 3000’s targeted instruction accelerates reading gains for all student groups, including English language learners and ESE students. This will have a direct positive impact on proficiency and learning gains for students on the Florida State Assessments.

Improve the instructional framework, processes, and structures that enrich student achievement.

The recommendation is for the Clay County School Board to approve the purchase of Achieve3000 reading in an amount not to exceed $764,460.00.  The funding sources and quote for this purchase are attached.