99% of K-3 Students in Massachusetts Improved Literacy Skills with High-Impact Tutoring

During the 2023–2024 school year, seven Massachusetts public school districts partnered with Catapult Learning to close early reading gaps and build a strong foundation in literacy. The result: a targeted, in-person High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) program serving students in grades K–3.

Program Snapshot:

Measurable Growth on DIBELS

The program’s effectiveness was measured using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills), a nationally recognized tool for early reading assessment. The results were clear and compelling:

99% of students

improved their overall composite scores from pre- to post-test

Kindergarten and 1st grade students more than tripled their scores on 5 of 6 subtests, demonstrating powerful skill development in foundational areas like phonemic awareness, letter naming, and oral reading fluency.

Tailored Support, Proven Results

By delivering consistent, small-group instruction multiple times per week, the HIT program met students where they were—accelerating growth through personalized, data-informed instruction. Teachers and school leaders reported increased student confidence and greater classroom engagement.

A Model for Literacy Acceleration

This Massachusetts initiative highlights how strategic investment in high-impact tutoring can transform learning outcomes, especially in the critical early years. With evidence-based methods and clear, measurable success, the HDT program continues to be a powerful tool in supporting districts’ literacy goals.