/PRNewswire/ -- Educational nonprofit Learning Ally has released findings from a Hanover Research review of its Structured Literacy in Action initiative. The evaluation highlights the organization's move from single-classroom efforts toward broad district partnerships that develop enduring teaching skills, supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

Survey responses from more than 230 educators across the country show major changes in teaching practices and learner results. Before the program, under 12 percent of teachers delivered daily or near-daily direct lessons in phonics, word knowledge, and text understanding. After participation, the figures rose sharply, with 83 percent now providing explicit comprehension instruction, 76 percent offering direct vocabulary lessons, and 77 percent giving explicit fluency practice several times a week or daily.

Key Evaluation Breakthroughs

93% of educators note a positive impact on student progress in phonics and reading comprehension.
90% of educators see gains in vocabulary understanding and retention.
84% of teachers report higher student confidence in core literacy abilities, compared with 67 percent before the program.
8,500+ Students and 287 Educators in 18 districts benefited directly from the collaboration.

"This independent review provides strong proof that broad district-level professional development converts reading research into lasting classroom practice," said Brent Hartsell, Learning Ally's Senior Director of Professional Learning. "The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has played a vital role in moving beyond scattered efforts to deliver these clear, documented improvements."

"Data capture only part of the picture," noted Bianca Dino, Manager of Professional Learning, describing the personal side of the results. "The rest unfolds when a teacher sees a student who struggled finally succeed and knows the same approach will work again. That outcome is what the program aims to repeat in every classroom it serves."

Administrators facing limited budgets also stressed the value of the funding. "We have never before been able to involve all 30 of our literacy teachers in a single training session that applied to everyone," said Catherine Prall, Reading Specialist at Fairfield Public Schools. "The DGLF Grant made this possible this year."

The study also points to improved fairness for learners. After the program, the share of teachers rating their instruction as highly effective for multilingual and special education students rose to 59 percent, from 19 percent and 22 percent earlier. One intervention teacher observed: "I saw how it supports students in becoming active learners and encourages them to apply new skills, which builds their confidence and helps them develop a love of reading."

About Learning Ally Learning Ally is a national educational nonprofit with a 75-year record of supporting educators and closing equity gaps for students facing reading challenges, including dyslexia. As a mission-focused partner, it delivers research-based professional learning that helps every student reach full academic potential. More information is available at LearningAlly.org.

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SOURCE Learning Ally