Marysville Creates a Strong Foundation with SRA Open Court Reading

The case study examines the implementation of Open Court Reading, a comprehensive K–5 reading, writing, and language arts curriculum, in Marysville District Schools, located in suburban Marysville, Michigan. The district includes five public schools, with three elementary schools serving grades K–3. The study involved three first-grade classrooms from Gardens, Washington, and Morton Elementary Schools, where teachers piloted the program midyear during the 2016 school year.

Open Court Reading focuses on explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency skills. Teachers initially found the transition challenging but observed immediate benefits, including improved phonemic awareness and foundational reading skills. The program includes scripted lessons, online components, and assessments available in print and digital formats. These assessments, conducted throughout each unit and at the end of units, allowed teachers to monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.

Outcomes highlighted include significant gains in reading skills across all student groups, including those needing intensive support. Teachers reported increased student confidence and engagement, with one parent noting remarkable improvement in their child’s decoding strategies and reading ability. The program also fostered collaboration between home and school, as parents could access the same materials used in classrooms. Teachers expressed enthusiasm for the program’s impact, noting its ability to build strong foundational skills and deliver measurable results.