How OpenLiteracy Helped Stella Gain 2.5 Years in Reading in Just One Semester

The Challenge

When Stella started third grade in the fall of 2023, her reading scores raised red flags. Despite being curious, motivated, and eager to learn, Stella was already far behind. Her iReady diagnostic score came in at 474, which is a full 71 points below what’s considered “on grade level” for third-grade readers. The school placed her in a standard reading intervention program. But by late November, despite weeks of support, Stella’s reading had only improved by 13 points. She was working hard, but not making the progress she deserved.

The Turning Point: Stella Begins Tutoring with OpenLiteracy

Everything changed when Stella’s school partnered with OpenLiteracy. Stella’s teacher knew she didn’t need more of the same; she needed something different. That’s where OpenLiteracy came in.

In January, Stella was paired with a seasoned OpenLiteracy tutor, a former classroom teacher with 18 years of experience. They met three times a week for just 30 minutes each session, connecting virtually through our secure platform. Each session followed a structured, science-of-reading-based approach where Stella tackled phonics and comprehension using a curriculum designed to build foundational literacy step by step. Behind the scenes, OpenLiteracy’s Learning Specialist Team reviewed real-time data from each session to adapt and personalize Stella’s learning plan. This meant that Stella spent her time on material that was neither too easy nor too hard. It was customized for her, and time well spent. 

Why It Works: The Research Behind Tutoring

High-impact tutoring is one of the most effective strategies for accelerating student learning and achievement. According to a 2020 meta-analysis by Kraft, Nickow, and Loeb, consistent, high-dosage tutoring can boost student achievement by an average of three to 15 months, particularly when delivered by trained educators using a structured curriculum. Additionally, a 2022 study from J-PAL North America reported that structured, personalized literacy tutoring three times per week is particularly effective for K–5 students, delivering academic gains equivalent to or exceeding a full school year of growth. The National Student Support Accelerator finds that tutoring programs grounded in evidence-based instruction, aligned with classroom learning, and delivered with fidelity, such as OpenLiteracy, produce the most significant gains, especially for early readers.

OpenLiteracy’s model is built on these best practices: regular sessions, trained tutors, real-time progress monitoring, and curriculum anchored in the science of reading.

The Results: 2.5 Years of Growth in One Semester

By March, Stella’s results were impressive. Stella didn’t just meet her iReady Annual Growth Goal of 26 points; she exceeded her Stretch Goal of 40 points. By the end of the semester, after 44 tutoring sessions, Stella’s final iReady assessment showed a 60-point jump, which is the equivalent of nearly 2.5 years of reading growth in just a few months.

That’s 231% of her annual goal, achieved in just half the school year.

The Human Factor: Relationships Matter

What worked for Stella wasn’t just OpenLiteracy’s Science of Reading-based curriculum; it was the connection with her tutor. With OpenLiteracy, Stella worked with the same tutor every session. That consistency allowed the tutor to develop a relationship with Stella. Research consistently shows that strong student–tutor relationships increase engagement, motivation, and academic persistence. By February, Stella was ending every session with a heartfelt, “Hasta mañana! I love you!”

“Programs that foster strong, consistent relationships between students and tutors tend to be more effective. Positive student–tutor relationships increase engagement, motivation, and attendance, which are key drivers of academic success.” 

Stella’s Progress is Why OpenLiteracy Works

With just 90 minutes a week, OpenLiteracy transformed Stella’s reading journey. It also increased her confidence. Backed by research and powered by people, OpenLiteracy is proving what’s possible when every student gets the high-quality, personalized support they need to thrive.

1 Nickow, A., Oreopoulos, P., & Quan, V. (2020). The impressive effects of tutoring on preK–12 learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the experimental evidence (EdWorkingPaper No. 20-267). Annenberg Institute at Brown University. https://doi.org/10.26300/eh0c-pc52

2 J-PAL North America. (2022, October 28). New tutoring resource: A learning path for evidence-based tutoring implementation. Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. 

3 OpenLiteracy has earned the National Student Support Accelerator Program Design Badge. THe Program Design Badge indicates how well a tutoring program’s design aligns with fundamental Tutoring Quality Standards based on provided documentation. The badge is meant to act as a first filter to states and districts for quality to indicate that a program has a research-aligned program design.

4 Robinson, C. D., Kraft, M. A., Loeb, S., Schueler, B. E., & Pickens, C. (2021). Accelerating student learning with high-dosage tutoring. EdResearch for Recovery Project, Annenberg Institute at Brown University. https://annenberg.brown.edu/sites/default/files/EdResearch_for_Recovery_Brief_1_Tutoring.pdf