National Blue Ribbon School, Hellgate Intermediate, Succeeds With Direct Instruction and Reading Mastery

This descriptive study examined the implementation of McGraw Hill’s Reading Mastery programs at Hellgate Intermediate School, a school serving Grades 3–5 in Missoula, Montana, within Hellgate Elementary School District (serving over 1,500 students in Grades K–8). The district implemented the Direct Instruction program Reading Mastery in 2008 for Grades K–5 (later extended to Grades 6–8) after failing to meet academic targets under the No Child Left Behind Act. Outcomes examined included student proficiency in reading for fourth and fifth graders. Over the course of implementation, student reading proficiency increased. In 2008, 41% of fourth-grade students and 44% of fifth-grade students tested proficient and above in reading. In 2013, the last year students were assessed, fourth-grade reading proficiency rose to 72% and fifth-grade reading proficiency rose to 80%.