95 Phonics Core Program

95 Phonics Core Program

Program Description

         The 95 Phonics Core Program is designed as a comprehensive Tier I phonics curriculum for students in grades K-5. It aims to close and prevent reading gaps through explicit, structured phonics instruction. Each grade level has a tailored scope and sequence, delivering daily 20-30 minute lessons that cover a range of phonics skills from basic to advanced across 25 to 30 lessons per grade. This includes instruction on high-frequency words, phonograms, and a variety of phonics topics designed to build foundational reading skills. The program package includes teacher’s editions, student workbooks, manipulatives, and digital resources to support classroom implementation.

Student population

         95 Phonics Core Program has been examined in Kindergarten through 2nd grade in moderate sized school districts in both Missouri and Arizona. The Missouri sample included 75% White students, 23% Low Income students, 9% ESL students, 13% SPED students, and the Arizona sample included 27% Indigenous students, 40% Hispanic students, 46% Low Income, 13% Special Education students, and 12% Limited English Proficient students.

Current evidence

         The 95 Phonics Core Program has been rated as Strong by Evidence for ESSA (https://www.evidenceforessa.org/program/95-phonics-core-program/) for students in grades K-2nd  grades. Two qualifying studies, one randomized and one matched, demonstrated positive effects on student literacy. The first study, conducted in a Missouri school district during the 2021–2022 school year, involved 14 schools and over 3,000 K-2 students. Schools using the 95 Phonics Core Program significantly increased their composite scores on the Acadience Reading assessment. The second study, conducted during the 2022-2023 school year with over 400 K-1 students in an Arizona district, showed that students in 95 PCP schools demonstrated significantly more growth in early literacy scores on the aimswebPlus assessment compared to comparison schools. Across both studies, the average effect size was +0.11.

For more information:

https://www.95percentgroup.com/

Schechter, R. L. & Lynch, A. D. (2022). 95 Phonics Core Program: 2021-2022, grades K-2 efficacy study. Learning Experience Design (LXD) Research.

Schechter, R. L., Lynch, A. D., Ilievski, I. (2023). 95 Phonics Core Program: 2022-2023, grades K-1, AZ efficacy study. Learning Experience Design (LXD) Research.