Since our founding in 2001, the HILL has helped 100's of schools and thousands of educators build sustainable literacy excellence.  It takes commitment and hard work, but these schools demonstrate that the goal of all children reading by third grade is obtainable.  We have seen these successes in all manners of schools rural, suburban or inner-city; and we continue to be impressed by the commitment that teachers give when they can see results.  Through their data, we celebrate the accomplishments of our partner districts and demonstrate these lasting attributes:  Sustainability, School Turnaround, and Scale. 

Sustainability

Sustainability is built into every HILL project.  Following a school change model, schools are building the internal expertise and a strong culture of using data to drive literacy instruction.  As a result, HILL schools measure year over year improvements in reading.  The same classrooms improve each year indicating improved teacher skills.  Our earliest districts such as Chelsea and Carver are still experiencing excellent literacy rates.  Carver has become a regional service center by establishing the Makepeace Literacy Leadership Center which provides support for 20 surrounding districts in South Eastern Massachusetts.  

School Turnaround

A HILL whole school change project has all of the elements for school turnaround, and many schools describe this experience.  The most troubled schools may see the dramatic results.  The district of Cumberland, RI had this experience.  Educators in Cumberland's poorest school were very resistive at first.  They had seen many programs come and go, yet they were working very hard to meets kids need and provide a safe environment. The superintendent convinced them to hold judgement and let the data be the guide.  The entire district participated and obtained dramatic results.  Educators who were once happy to reach 50% of the children now believe they can teach every child to read.  

Scale 

The HILL can scale its programs to any size project utilizing a national network of trainers.  The HILL was chosen as the profesional development provider for Massachusetts' Reading First Program which reached 120 schools.  We also trainied the Early Learning Centers in Boston, and expanded that project into 168 classrooms in 87 schools.  "The data reveal that Reading First has had a substantial impact on improving reading achievement in grades 1-3... All of the predominant ethnic and racial subgroups also improved substantially." - MA DOE