The results of critically engaged reading workshop, writing workshop, and phonics work are visible in Advancing Literacy classrooms and schools around the globe. One way that we can trace the effects of student success is through the work that they do—the essays they write, the nonfiction books they create, the TedTalks they present, the book club conversations they author.
Another way to measure student growth is through performance on state standardized ELA exams. In 2021, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) conducted an independent study of the effectiveness of TC professional development.* The AIR report looked at historical data (ELA exam scores) in 229 schools, including schools using TC PD and schools not using PD from TC that were matched demographically. The report found that by year two of implementation, students overall in TC schools showed statistically significant improvement as compared to students in non-TC schools—and that over time this improvement increases. The report also studied students learning English (EL) and students who receive free and reduced lunch, and found that by year three of implementation, EL students in TC schools outperform students in non-TC schools, and by year two of implementation, students who receive free and reduced lunch in TC schools outperform students in non-TC schools. TC Advancing Literacy is studying this data with its partner schools, to help improve instruction and better meet the needs of all kids.
Of course, test scores alone only hint at the effect of any curriculum. Advancing Literacy has provided PD to well over 100 schools that have been awarded Blue Ribbon status, and reading and writing workshop itself is used in many more award-winning schools.
Schools and districts also share their success stories with us regularly. In our case studies, you can read more about TC schools where readers and writers are thriving, where kids are taking up issues of social justice, where communities have become centers of literacy, where leaders and schools have been recognized locally and nationally.
*TCRWP has since transitioned to Advancing Literacy at Teachers College. These studies were done when TCRWP still existed.