Does Open Court Reading© Improve Adolescent Literacy?

Open Court Reading© is a core reading program for grades K–6 designed to teach decoding, comprehension, inquiry, and writing in a logical progression. Open Court Reading© aims to improve literacy, but what does the research say about its effectiveness? A new report from the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) takes a closer look.

After reviewing 58 studies that examined the effects of Open Court Reading© on adolescent readers, the WWC determined that one study meets WWC evidence standards without reservations. That study, a randomized controlled trial, includes more than 900 students who attended five schools located in five states. Study authors reported that Open Court Reading© had statistically significant positive effects on the comprehension skills of the students in the study. Based on this research, the WWC found Open Court Reading© to have potentially positive effects on comprehension for adolescent readers. Read the full report now at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=568.

To see other WWC reports, go to whatworks.ed.gov.