Exceptional Education and Regular Education Students Excel with Direct Instruction

Iredell Statesville Schools, a public district in Statesville, North Carolina, implemented SRA/McGraw Hill’s Direct Instruction programs—Reading Mastery and Corrective Reading—to enhance reading achievement for students in grades K–12. The programs were first introduced in 2003 for special education students and expanded in 2004–2005 to include at-risk students in general education after observing strong initial results.  The district serves approximately 21,000 students in prekindergarten through grade 12, with 35% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is 72% Caucasian, 18% African American, 7% Hispanic, and 3% Asian. Reading Mastery and Corrective Reading were used as intervention programs emphasizing systematic, explicit instruction with mastery-based progression.  Following implementation, special education students meeting adequate yearly progress increased from 53% in 2003–2004 to 66% in 2005–2006. The district’s state ranking for exceptional student reading performance rose from 56th among 116 districts to 16th within two years. Teachers reported steady transitions of students from special education into general education settings, as learners developed the skills required for reading proficiency.  Educators and parents observed marked improvements in motivation and confidence. Students were described as eager to read—some preferring reading over recreational activities and demonstrating consistent engagement at home. Teachers highlighted that the structured and mastery-focused design of the programs provided clarity and consistency across instruction, supporting both students and families.  Notable individual successes included students overcoming significant barriers to literacy, such as one eighth grader with a severe early childhood head injury who attained proficient reading ability. Overall, data and testimonials reflected consistent progress in reading achievement and student independence in literacy across the district.