Nurturing Minds
The impact of high-dosage literacy intervention on Fort Worth students
Two out of every 3 students in Fort Worth ISD are NOT reading on grade level.*
Last summer, Parent Shield Fort Worth took matters into its own hands to give parents accurate and actionable information about their child’s reading levels. Our July 2023 report, Literacy is Freedom, highlighted Parent Shield’s efforts to assess children in reading and get that data into the hands of parents. Our sample of students who we assessed not reading on grade level essentially matched the exact percentage of students not reading on grade level in Fort Worth ISD and unearthed the need for shifts in policy to lift literacy rates in Fort Worth. One such recommendation from Parent Shield was the need for strong intervention and access to and usage of free, quality high-dosage literacy intervention by qualified specialists.
This summer, Parent Shield tested another hypothesis. What if students were to receive high-dosage intervention, tutoring and support in literacy over a short period of time? How effective could that be to catch kids up and/or raise literacy levels?
As Parent Shield continued its parallel advocacy efforts at the district level, we partnered with local philanthropic and community organizations to offer high-quality, high-dosage literacy intervention through our Literacy is Freedom Texas (LIFT) program. Students showed significant effort and engagement in reading activities, with notable increases in confidence and enthusiasm. The LIFT program’s insights revealed the need to invest in literacy interventions and provided a glimmer of hope into what is possible if systems were to expand these types of efforts.
The Headline: 96% of students who were below their grade level in reading achieved at least one grade level of growth in less than a third of a regular school year.
High-dosage literacy intervention is like planting seeds in fertile soil: with intentional nurturing and attention, these seeds grow into strong, resilient trees. Just as a tree flourishes with proper care, students who are behind can catch up and thrive in their literacy skills with dedicated, purposeful intervention. By focusing on these targeted interventions, Fort Worth can enhance students' reading skills, boost their confidence, and foster overall academic growth. The combined efforts of Parent Shield and the insights from the LIFT program provide a clear pathway to addressing the literacy crisis and improving educational outcomes for all students in Fort Worth.
*Fort Worth-area school districts see stagnant 2024 STAAR results, Fort Worth Report, June 14, 2024
Nurturing Minds
〰️
Nurturing Minds 〰️
Gratitude & Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the individuals and organizations who contributed to the success of this project. Special thanks to Dr. Vernessa Evans for her invaluable guidance and management of the program, the dedicated certified teachers who tirelessly worked with our students as interventionists, the Sid Richardson Foundation and the Fort Worth Education Partnership for their generous support, the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Worth for their unwavering commitment to our community, the supportive parents who encouraged their children's participation, and the Parent Shield team for their continuous efforts and support.
About Parent Shield Fort Worth
Parent Shield Fort Worth is a movement by and for Fort Worth parents who demand excellence in Fort Worth Independent School District schools. Led by Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, a fifth-generation Fort Worth resident and proud public school parent, Parent Shield believes every child deserves an excellent education with a mission to make a high-quality education a reality for each child in Tarrant County. The foundation of this work is rooted in advocacy, awareness, and providing tools to Black and Brown families to disrupt systemic inequities that fuel generational trauma.