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Closing the Achievement Gap in Literacy and Math

Support secondary students with proven, evidence-based literacy and math solutions designed to accelerate learning, strengthen instruction, and help students succeed at grade level.

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Why Closing Secondary Learning Gaps Matter

Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, but unfinished learning can make it difficult to engage with grade-level content. Whether those gaps stem from interrupted learning, inconsistent foundational skills, or varying instructional needs, the gap can widen over time without targeted support.

Closing learning gaps isn’t about asking students to catch up on everything they’ve missed. It’s about identifying where they need support, providing focused instruction, and giving educators the tools to help every student make meaningful progress.

By combining research-based instruction, ongoing progress monitoring, and engaging learning experiences, schools can help students build confidence while accelerating academic growth.

How Schools Can Close Secondary Learning Gaps

Closing learning gaps is an ongoing instructional process, not a single intervention. Successful schools focus on identifying student needs, delivering targeted support, and monitoring progress over time.

  • Explicit Instruction
    Instruction is systematic, clear, and consistent.

  • Targeted Instruction 
    Interventions focus on the specific skills students need most.

  • Age-Appropriate Instruction 
    Materials and approaches meet students where they are.

  • Science of Reading & Science of Math 
    Instruction is grounded in research-based best practices.

Download Implementation Guides

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    Closing the Gap: An Actionable Guide for Effective Intervention Instruction at the Secondary Level

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  • Closing the Reading Gap: An Actionable Guide for Effective Reading Intervention at the Secondary Level

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  • Closing the Math Gap: An Actionable Guide for Effective Mathematics Intervention at the Secondary Level

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Find the Right Solutions for Your School

Literacy Solutions for Closing Secondary Achievement Gaps

Strong literacy skills create access to learning across every subject area. McGraw Hill has proven solutions to help close secondary literacy gaps, from foundational skill intervention and targeted reading support to comprehension and grade-level learning. Designed around evidence-based practices, our solutions help educators provide targeted support and accelerate student growth. 

  • Corrective Reading

    Grades 3 and up, Tier 2–3

    Research-backed and evidence-proven, Corrective Reading brings students up to grade level with explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

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  • Achieve3000 Literacy

    Grades 3–12, Tier 1–3

    Designed to close literacy gaps, Achieve3000 Literacy meets each student at their level with engaging, differentiated content, driving measurable gains in comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking to accelerate every student toward college and career readiness.

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  • Read to Achieve

    Grades 6–12, Tier 1–3

    Read to Achieve closes literacy gaps for adolescent readers with explicit comprehension strategies, empowering students to catch up with their grade-level peers and succeed in content-area learning across all subjects.

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  • Reading Success

    Grades 4–Adult, Tier 1–2

    Through explicit instruction, detailed modeling, guided practice, and review, Reading Success equips students to overcome comprehension barriers, close learning gaps, and succeed across all content areas.

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  • Spelling Through Morphographs

    Grades 4–12, Tier 2–3

    Spelling Through Morphographs closes spelling and vocabulary gaps by helping students break words down into prefixes, suffixes, and bases. Structured, research-based lessons build lasting word knowledge and strengthen decoding, writing, and comprehension skills.

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  • Essentials for Writing

    Grades 6–12, Tier 2

    Designed for middle and high school students who need additional support, Essentials for Writing provides explicit, step-by-step instruction in sentence construction, paragraph development, and multi-paragraph composition.

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Math Solutions for Closing Secondary Achievement Gaps

Mathematical confidence begins with strong conceptual understanding. McGraw Hill has proven math solutions to help close secondary learning gaps, helping educators identify unfinished learning, deliver targeted instruction, and strengthen the skills students need for long-term success. Our evidence-based programs support students from foundational skill development through conceptual understanding and grade-level learning.. 

  • Essentials for Algebra

    Grades 6–12, Tier 2–3

    Essentials for Algebra provides clear, step-by-step instruction in the skills students need to succeed in Algebra I. Designed for middle and high school learners, the program includes teacher modeling, guided practice, and built-in assessments to ensure mastery and long-term retention.

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  • ALEKS®

    Grades K–12, Tier 1–2

    Fueled by powerful adaptive technology and aligned to state standards, ALEKS® empowers students to fill prerequisite gaps, access grade-level math content, and accelerate at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.

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  • Corrective Mathematics

    Grades 3–12, Tier 2–3

    Using targeted, teacher-led instruction, Corrective Mathematics builds confidence and competence in computation, problem-solving, and foundational reasoning to help students progress toward algebra readiness.

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Research and Success

Explore research, classroom success stories, and expert insights that show how evidence-based instruction can help schools address learning gaps, strengthen implementation, and accelerate student growth.

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