Despite obstacles, students and teachers at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the third-largest school district in the US, are determined to become college and career ready with the help of Achieve3000, the leader in differentiated instruction. Together, CPS and Achieve3000 are removing barriers in order to ensure all students graduate with skills for success.
Ninety-two schools serving more than 23,000 students are currently using Achieve3000 to help improve students’ reading and understanding of complex text, to improve PARCC and IL-SAT performance, and to prepare them for college and the workforce. Data from the 2017–18 school year demonstrates that CPS students using Achieve3000 are experiencing accelerated growth. In August 2017, fewer than one percent of students using the program were “meeting or exceeding,” and only 6.1% were “approaching” college and career readiness. Nine months later—in April 2018—18% of students using the program are “meeting or exceeding,” and 32.7% are “approaching” college and career readiness. To supplement the regular school year, Achieve Intensive was implemented in 2017 as part of CPS’ Summer Bridge program for students who are especially at risk for summer reading loss. The 3,590 students in grades three, six, and eight who participated in the five-week program experienced Lexile growth equivalent to one-fifth of a school year for students in grade three, and one-half of a school year for students in grades six and eight. Approximately 4,300 CPS students are registered for Achieve Intensive this summer.
