Rio Linda, California

Author:
Jake Van Ruiten
Rio Linda Union Elementary

Date evaluation report completed:
June 1998

Months/years covered by evaluation:
28 Weeks during the 1997-1998 school year

Number of schools involved:
1 school
10 fourth–grade students in the Soar to Success program
8 fourth–grade students in the control group

Demographics of sample population:
Rio Linda Elementary Union is a rural/suburban district outside of Sacramento, CA. The student population is 67% Caucasian, 15% African American, 12% Hispanic, and 4.5% Asian.

Purpose of study:
The purpose of this study was to compare the literacy growth of the Soar to Success students against a control group.

Methodology:
The students chosen for this program were reading at least two years below grade level. The Soar to Success students received 45 minutes of instruction, 4 days a week, for 28 weeks. The control group received their normal reading instruction. Classroom teachers delivered the instruction.

Measures/indicators used to assess effectiveness:
CTBS (comprehension)

Findings:

Percentile:

Group	1996	1997	Difference
Control (8)	27	27	0
STS (10)	21.5	34	+ 12.5

Grade Equivalent:

Group	1996	1997	Difference
Control (8)	2.6	3.5	+ .9
STS (10)	2.4	4.2	1.8