Success for All Shows Positive Effects in Alphabetics for Early Readers

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has reviewed the latest research on Success for All® (SFA®) and its effects on students in grades K-4. The results are summarized in an intervention report released by the Institute of Education Sciences today (March 28).

SFA® is a whole-school reform model for students in grades pre-K–8 and includes a literacy program that emphasizes phonics for beginning readers and comprehension for all students. Teachers provide reading instruction to students grouped by reading ability for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, certified teachers or paraprofessionals provide daily tutoring to students who have difficulty reading at the same level as their classmates.

This report in the WWC’s Literacy topic area, includes the research examined in a 2009 SFA® report and reviews of 111 additional studies. Based on this research, the WWC found SFA® to have positive effects on alphabetics, potentially positive effects on reading fluency, and mixed effects on comprehension and general reading achievement for beginning readers.

The Literacy topic area has more reviews on programs and methods that aim to improve literacy.