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Who's using this tool?
ELA instructor Fatema Mohassib and her science-teacher colleague at IS 281 Joseph B. Cavallaro School in Brooklyn. New York, experienced a eureka moment when they realized they could shift the ELA curriculum to align with science and social studies topics. And when they did, deep connections and critical thinking resulted. Mohassib describes it as “revolutionary.”
What do educators like best about this reading solution?
One of the cornerstones of this curriculum alignment is ThinkCERCA. Choosing texts is time-consuming—and it’s nearly impossible to find texts on the same topic at different levels. Having quality leveled texts on a wide variety of subjects is key, says Mohassib, as is the flexibility that allows students to move at their own pace. And students enjoy using the platform. “If you ever want to know if something is working,” she says, “ask the students.”
What kind of impact has implementation had on students?
After reading an article on mandatory voting last October, many seventh graders formulated strong arguments defending a citizen’s right not to vote. As the election unfolded and students witnessed the impact of that position, many revised their thinking using ThinkCERCA’s structure (claim, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, audience). These real-world connections forged greater understanding and engagement.
Who's using this tool?
When Chris Marczak arrived as the new superintendent of Maury County (TN) Public Schools in 2015, he met with staff, parents, and community stakeholders, visited 22 schools in 22 days, and collated feedback submitted on 9,327 Post-its to arrive at seven keys to college and career readiness tied to cumulative grade-level goals. Two years on, this once-failing district is experiencing transformation. And myON is one of the ingredients of its success.
What do educators like best about this reading solution?
In this diverse district, different schools achieve these keys in different ways—from on-grade-level reading in third grade to improving ACT scores. “Our job,” Marczak says, “is to give teachers the tools they need and provide students with more access to materials. So we formed a partnership with myON.” Teachers love that myON gives them instant snapshots of Lexile levels, is deviceagnostic, and gives all students access to over 10,000 titles. As the district moves to implement a 1:1 program, they also appreciate that the program supports reading online, in print, and through audiobooks. “Reading is reading,” Marczak says.
What kind of impact has implementation had on students?
In less than a year, average third-grade Lexile levels increased from 280 to 395. Lower-level readers can listen to books, and ELLs and their parents are learning English more quickly and with more fluency through listening to audiobooks as well. At the high-school level, requests are already coming in for more complex texts. With nearly 550,000 books read throughout the district on myON last year, these students are indeed being prepared for college and career success.
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