Creating Sustainable Literacy Programs for All Students

Each year, children in the U.S. fail to master the literacy skills they need to perform in school and in life.  According to the 2005 National Assessment of Education Progress scores:

• 33% of fourth graders lack the basic reading skills required to pass national standardized tests.
• Only 30% of fourth graders are proficient in reading.
• More than 75% of third graders with reading problems are still reading disabled in ninth grade.

View our video to hear about the impact the HILL has made in a number of schools or read about the HILL Campaign for Literacy.

If you would like to make a gift after learning more about the HILL and its Campaign for Literacy, contact:

Amy McMahon, Development Officer
Hanson Initiative for Language & Literacy
617-724-6094
amcmahon@mghihp.edu

The HILL faculty is made up of nationally recognized experts on oral and written language. In order to improve classroom literacy instruction - with the ultimate goal of advancing the literacy skills of students - the HILL works systematically with all the teachers within a partner school.

With guidance from the HILL, partner schools establish literacy leadership teams.  These teams consist of representatives from all grade levels and special education.  They meet regularly to assess progress and to set goals for future improvement.

The HILL places a great emphasis on building capacity from within, and applies a "gradual release model."  This means that a school's dependence on the HILL diminishes over time.

Results show that schools using the HILL model can achieve significantly improved literacy outcomes for students - even in a relatively short period of time!