IOTA Community Schools in Memphis, TN, have recently partnered with Reading Horizons to enhance reading instruction across four middle and high schools in the Memphis Metro Area. This partnership aims to boost student literacy and provide students with the necessary foundational skills to succeed in college, leadership, and life. IOTA Community Schools, which stands for Innovation, Opportunity, Transformation, and Access, has been at the forefront of education reform in Tennessee, particularly in historically underserved communities.
Christina Austin, the Chief Academic Officer for IOTA Community Schools, emphasized the importance of academic focus in preparing students for success beyond high school. She highlighted the strategic partnership with Reading Horizons as a key component in ensuring that IOTA students receive effective, research-based reading instruction. This instruction is crucial in equipping students with the skills they need to excel in school and beyond.
Reading Horizons Elevate® is a leading program designed to teach foundational reading skills to older learners effectively. Drawing on over 40 years of research, the program combines direct instruction with engaging software to make reading accessible to all learners. It has been successful across various age groups and settings, including intervention programs, adult education, special education, dyslexia support, and multilingual learner programs.
In Tennessee, there are 115 charter schools with over 44,000 students enrolled, according to the 2023-34 Tennessee Charter School Center Impact Report. The report highlights the academic growth of public charter school students in Tennessee, who have emerged as national leaders in academic progress. Despite serving students with significant needs, Tennessee’s charter schools have demonstrated one of the highest average growth rates in the nation. Public charter school students in Tennessee receive the equivalent of 34 extra days of reading instruction compared to their non-charter counterparts, creating ample opportunities to leverage partnerships like the one with Reading Horizons.
Trisha Thomas, the President of Reading Horizons, expressed the organization’s commitment to ensuring equitable education for all students, regardless of their background. She emphasized the shared vision with IOTA Community Schools to provide students in Tennessee with the foundational reading skills necessary to become confident readers and learners. Reading Horizons empowers educators to eradicate illiteracy through effective, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students achieve reading proficiency.
For over 40 years, Reading Horizons has aligned its instructional method with advancements in the science of reading to support educators and students. With a focus on preventing and remediating reading difficulties, Reading Horizons aims to ensure that students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. By adopting a proven method for teaching foundational literacy, Reading Horizons serves as a trusted, innovative partner in literacy education, supporting the mission to empower students through reading proficiency.
IOTA Community Schools are dedicated to providing comprehensive opportunities for students by embracing each individual and preparing them for life through innovative academics. The partnership with Reading Horizons aligns with IOTA’s mission to create sustainable pathways to economic growth by equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in their educational and professional endeavors.
In conclusion, the collaboration between IOTA Community Schools and Reading Horizons represents a significant step towards enhancing student literacy and academic success in the Memphis Metro Area. By combining effective reading instruction with innovative teaching methods, both organizations are working towards a common goal of equipping students with the foundational skills they need to thrive in college, leadership roles, and life. This partnership exemplifies a commitment to academic excellence and equitable education for all students, setting a positive example for educational institutions across Tennessee and beyond.