We are thrilled to announce that our client, Heggerty, has achieved significant recognition for their foundational skills curriculum, Bridge to Reading. This accomplishment demonstrates how strong research can elevate an educational product in today’s evidence-driven landscape.
Evidence-Based Validation for Bridge to Reading
Our partnership with Heggerty has resulted in a prestigious validation that confirms what educators have experienced in their classrooms:
Evidence for ESSA Listing – The program is now featured on Johns Hopkins University’s respected platform with a “Moderate” evidence rating for first-grade literacy instruction based on a rigorous study conducted during the 2023-2024 school year in rural Georgia.
As researchers committed to elevating the quality of educational products through rigorous evaluation, we’re particularly proud of this achievement. Only a small percentage of educational programs meet the stringent criteria necessary for this validation.
The Research That Made It Possible
The quasi-experimental study that earned Bridge to Reading this recognition was conducted during the 2023-2024 school year with students in rural Georgia. The research evaluated the program’s effectiveness across multiple literacy measures and grade levels, using a matched sample for kindergarten and first grade.
The results were compelling and statistically significant:
- First graders using Bridge to Reading significantly outperformed control group students on MAP Growth Reading scores (effect size = +0.16) in the first half of the year
- Kindergarten students demonstrated greater growth in Phonological Awareness and Phonics and Word Recognition (effect size = +0.22 for both)
- A higher percentage of Heggerty students met or exceeded expectations across all phonics skill domains
These findings provide strong evidence that Bridge to Reading strengthens the building blocks of early literacy, particularly the decoding skills that support reading fluency development.
What the Heggerty Teachers Shared
Through this research, we gained valuable insights into why Bridge to Reading delivers positive results. The program pairs explicit phonics instruction with phonemic awareness lessons for daily instruction, providing students with a structured approach to developing foundational literacy skills. Based on interviews with instructional coaches and surveys from K and 1st grade teachers:
- Educators consistently noted the high quality of Bridge to Reading’s scope and sequence and materials
- Educators saw growth in phonics skills, reading behaviors, and student confidence levels while decoding words, transferring reading to writing, and using hand motions while reading.
- Teachers expressed how the program increased their confidence in their own knowledge of literacy instruction by learning along with their students and colleagues.
“We’ve seen levels improve on the phonics continuum. We’ve seen progression. I don’t have anybody on CVCs and short vowel sounds anymore, and I don’t think that’s ever happened in my other two years.” – First Grade teacher, Bridge to Reading
Evidence-Based Validation for Bridge to Reading
Our partnership with Heggerty has resulted in a prestigious validation that confirms what educators have experienced in their classrooms:
Evidence for ESSA Listing – The program is now featured on Johns Hopkins University’s respected platform with a “Moderate” evidence rating for first-grade literacy instruction based on a rigorous study conducted during the 2023-2024 school year in rural Georgia.
As researchers committed to elevating the quality of educational products through rigorous evaluation, we’re particularly proud of this achievement. Only a small percentage of educational programs meet the stringent criteria necessary for this validation.
Implications for Educators
In today’s educational landscape, it’s not enough to select literacy programs based solely on teacher preference or student engagement. Districts need solutions backed by rigorous evidence that demonstrates real impact on student outcomes. The Evidence for ESSA validation provides educators with confidence that this program doesn’t just feel effective—it demonstrably is effective. This quasi-experimental study offers top-tier ESSA evidence for Heggerty Bridge to Reading that goes beyond anecdotal reports or surface-level engagement:
- The study shows statistically significant improvements in student outcomes across multiple literacy measures.
- The evidence demonstrates that the program works effectively with diverse student populations.
- The implementation model is replicable across different educational settings, making it a reliable choice for various districts.
While teacher satisfaction and student engagement are important factors in program selection, the educational community increasingly recognizes that these elements must be paired with strong evidence of effectiveness. Bridge to Reading offers both—a program that educators find practical to implement and that research confirms produces meaningful literacy gains.
As researchers, we’re particularly encouraged by the growth observed across multiple literacy domains. The results suggest that Bridge to Reading provides a strong foundation for early literacy development that can lead to continued reading success—exactly the kind of evidence-based outcome that federal funding sources now require.es a strong foundation for early literacy development that can lead to continued reading success.
Our Continued Research Partnership
While we celebrate this achievement, our research journey with Heggerty continues. We remain committed to helping Heggerty and other educational providers continue building their evidence base, ensuring educators have access to solutions proven to work.
For more information about Heggerty and the Bridge to Reading program, visit the Heggerty’s website.
To learn more about LXD Research’s evidence-based evaluation services and how we can help your educational product earn similar validations, visit www.lxdresearch.com.
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