Science-Backed School Reform Initiative Seeks Expansion

May 27, 2025

Science-Backed School Reform Initiative Seeks Expansion

Success For All, which employs a teaching method based on the principles of reading science, might extend to as many as 150 additional schools within the coming three years thanks to $13.5 million in funding provided anonymously.

Success For All, created in the latter part of the 1980s by two faculty members from Johns Hopkins University, places significant emphasis on phonics and collaborative learning. The program involves students reading complete storybooks rather than traditional textbooks.

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It has demonstrated substantial increases in certain areas.
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and was recently highlighted in episodes of the “Sold a Story” podcast
about
surprisingly high reading scores
In the tiny, Appalachian town of Steubenville, Ohio.

Approximately 500 schools across the country use this program. Success for All plans to provide $100,000 “scholarships” annually over the coming three years to support 50 public, charter, or private institutions per year as they implement their approach. This financial aid will assist with funding for training, educational resources, and instructional coaching.

The majority of the required $15 million for the scholarships originates from one anonymous contribution made by a private foundation. According to Success For All representatives, this same benefactor had previously donated $200,000 to their initiative some years back. Following an educational visit to institutions in Virginia utilizing this method, the family contributed $13.5 million—their most significant gift yet—to support implementing it in schools serving many economically disadvantaged students.

Julie Wible, CEO of the Success For All Foundation, mentioned that the donor aimed to enhance literacy among low-income students. She noted that Success For All provided not only a curriculum but also an alteration in teaching methods along with social-emotional support for the students.

Wible mentioned, “This idea of backing an entire school provided them with clear direction on ensuring improvements within educational institutions.” He also stated, “While a robust literacy program is essential, it alone won’t suffice to bring substantial transformation across the whole school.”

The majority of the grants for this autumn have already been granted, however, Success For All continues to accept applications for those that are still available.

Success For All predicts that implementing their program will cost schools approximately $150,000 during the initial year, followed by smaller sums in subsequent years. Wible mentioned that although the program aims to assist schools, it also requires them to invest significantly enough to ensure they remain dedicated to making the transition.

In the 2023-24 academic year, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles introduced Success For All into 18 of its institutions. They have now been granted scholarships to implement this program in four additional schools this autumn.

Robert Tagorda, the chief academic officer for the archdiocese, stated that they selected Success For All due to their belief that this program will assist low-income students, particularly those who are acquiring English as their second language.

The initiative has already demonstrated success, prompting the archdiocese to seek further scholarship funding to expand into additional schools by the 2026-27 academic year.

In the 1990s, Success for All secured substantial federal backing during President Bill Clinton’s efforts to aid students in Title I schools. However, it found itself largely excluded from President George W. Bush’s Reading First program.
prompting a complaint
To the U.S. Department of Education’s inspector general. During the Obama administration, the program recovered after receiving an i3 grant aimed at expanding proven effective programs.

More recently, the program has garnered attention due to reports of improved reading scores in Steubenville, Ohio, where they began implementing Success For All in 2000. Previously recognized for its challenges,
well-publicized rape case
In connection with its high school football team, the Steubenville school district gained more attention in 2016 when researchers from Stanford University highlighted the district.
significantly higher reading scores than anticipated
At schools where almost every student comes from an economically disadvantaged background.

The district stands out due to its surprisingly low absenteeism rates considering its socioeconomic challenges. However, impressive test scores at the elementary level tend to decline significantly by the time students reach high school.

The “Sold a Story” podcast, which has significantly influenced the national conversation around literacy education towards evidence-based practices, released three episodes focused on Steubenville earlier this year. These episodes explored the district’s implementation of Success For All over the past 25 years and highlighted the difficulties they encountered in gaining acceptance from Ohio and other states due to the lack of an approved textbook for review as part of their scientifically based reading methods.

Wible mentioned that the program currently has endorsements from most states.

The principal of Steubenville’s Pugliese West Elementary, Lynnett Gorman—a school recognized as one of the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools—attributes the district’s impressive outcomes to Success For All.

“It really has helped our students be successful,” she said. “I hope schools who are interested apply for the grant scholarships. What a great opportunity.”

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