Idaho School Literacy Improvement with Foundations A-Z

This case study outlines the implementation of Foundations A-Z at Wilder Elementary School in Idaho, aimed at enhancing literacy growth among K-5 students. The school, with an enrollment of 235 students and a significant percentage of emergent bilingual learners and students from low-income families, faced challenges with inconsistent instructional materials and low reading proficiency levels. In December 2022, the school adopted Foundations A-Z, a solution aligned with the Science of Reading, to provide a cohesive approach to literacy instruction. By Fall 2023, teachers fully integrated the program into their routines, utilizing lesson plans and digital practice opportunities. The impact was notable, with teachers reporting significant improvements in student literacy performance, as evidenced by upward trends in state assessment scores for grades K-3. The program's design facilitates personalized instruction and supports teachers in delivering effective foundational skills instruction, ultimately boosting student confidence in reading.