Learning Resources

Fremont Public Schools Expands Computer-Based Reading Programs

• By Leila Meyer
• 10/07/15

Fremont Public Schools in Michigan is expanding its implementation of a computer-based reading program after seeing positive results in its middle school.

In 2012, the state of Michigan labeled Fremont Middle School as a "Focus" school, meaning it had one of the largest achievement gaps between its top 30 percent of students and its bottom 30 percent. After receiving that designation, the school began looking for reading programs that could help all of its students and ended up selecting the Fast ForWord reading remediation program and the Reading Assistant digital reading tutor from Scientific Learning. Two years later, in 2014, the school received a new designation as a "Reward" school, meaning it had made significant gains in student achievement.

"Our middle school earned the 'Reward' school designation because of the large improvements in reading and math by our Title 1 and special education students," said Ken Haggart, superintendent of Fremont Public Schools, in a prepared statement. "Our students have come a long way and we give a lot of credit to the Scientific Learning programs for that."

This fall, the district is expanding its implementation of Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant to Pathfinder Elementary, Fremont High School and Quest Alternative High School. "Our goals are to bring students up to grade level and give them the opportunity to achieve success," said Haggart.

Another Michigan school, Dudley STEM School in Battle Creek was designated as a "Priority" school in 2014, meaning it was ranked in the bottom five percent of schools in the state. In an effort to improve student achievement, the school is implementing Fast ForWord for all of its students this fall, along with other research-based interventions.