Evidence studies
Tier 1 research
Take a closer look at the research and see how our Tier 1 products are proven to help teachers build foundational skills.
Proven core instruction
Rigorous, multi-year testing shows how Tier 1 products like 95 Phonics Core Program®, 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Tune-Up®, and 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School® meet ESSA’s highest standards.
ESSA Strong
Multiple studies have validated the effectiveness of 95 Phonics Core Program as meeting ESSA Level 1: Strong criteria for an evidence-based instructional solution.
Meaningful, measurable impact
Across grades, studies show significantly higher gains than control groups, with soaring scores during crucial early literacy stages.
Advancing foundational skills
Research found significant improvements across a broad set of core phonics skills.
Supporting diverse learners
Studies included students with a diversity of backgrounds including low income, English language learners, and students with special needs—highlighting the program’s positive impact across learning needs.
Recognized for excellence
Industry leaders understand the powerful outcomes our Tier 1 products achieve.
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2025: Tech & Learning Best of 2025, 95 Phonics Tier 1 Solution
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Product Certification from Digital Promise, 95 Phonics Core Program
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2024: EdTech Awards “Cool Tool,” One95 Literacy Ecosystem™, finalist
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2023: ACE Award for Excellence in Equity, One95 Literacy Ecosystem
Explore 95 Phonics Core Program evidence studies
Note: studies open in the same tab.
| Grades | Location | Study period | Highlights | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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4-5 |
Texas |
2023-2024 |
A third-party mixed-methods effectiveness study found that 4th and 5th graders using the 95 phonics curriculum significantly outperformed a comparison group on both ISIP overall reading scores and STAAR reading assessments—including gains in comprehension and fluency—with educators reporting that despite an initial learning curve, the program produced clear positive impacts on student reading abilities once fully implemented. |
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K-1 |
Arizona |
2022-2023 |
In a diverse Arizona district serving significant populations of Indigenous, Hispanic, ELL, and special education students, 22% more kindergartners reached “Low Risk” status by spring using 95 Phonics Core Program than their peers—earning the program ESSA Level 2 designation. |
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2-3 |
Arizona |
2022-2023 |
Among Hispanic and Indigenous students in grades 2–3, those using 95 Phonics Core Program saw a meaningful decrease in High Risk readers by year’s end—while the comparison group of Indigenous students actually saw their High Risk numbers increase. |
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3 |
Texas |
2022-2023 |
In a Texas district where 41% of 3rd graders began the year three or more grade levels behind, 95 Phonics Core Program essentially flipped the intervention triangle—with 56% of students reading on or above grade level by spring, up from just 18% at the start of the year. |
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3 |
Texas |
2022-2023 |
A study of 410 third graders across four Texas elementary schools found that 95 Phonics Core Program resources significantly improved literacy outcomes, with 63% of students advancing at least one grade level in phonics on iReady—including nearly half who started the year three or more years behind — those phonics gains directly translating to higher STAAR scores and a greater likelihood of meeting grade-level reading standards. |
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K-3 |
New York |
2022-2023 |
In a New York study of over 2,300 K–3 students, pairing 95 Phonics Core Program with Wit & Wisdom® produced stronger literacy scores than comparison classrooms—and while district-wide state ELA scores slightly declined from 2022, the pilot group actually improved. |
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1-3 |
Missouri |
2021-2022 |
When Missouri schools continued with 95 Phonics Core Program into a second year, the percentage of students at or above benchmark kept climbing while the national trend declined—proving that the more time students have with the right instruction, the more powerful the results. |
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1 |
New Jersey |
2021-2022 |
After one year of 95 Phonics Core Program, 95 Phonics Lesson Library, and 95 Phonics Chip Kit, a New Jersey district surged from 33% to 88% of first graders reading on or above grade level—and nearly doubled the share starting the following year on grade level, from 33% to 68%. Other products studied: 95 Phonics Lesson Library™ and 95 Phonics Chip Kit™ |
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K-2 |
Missouri |
2021-2022 |
In a rigorous, randomly assigned study of over 3,200 K–2 students, those using 95 Phonics Core Program significantly outperformed peers on Acadience Reading assessments—results strong enough to earn the program ESSA Level 1 designation, the highest standard of evidence. |
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K-2 |
Maryland |
2020-2022 |
In a two-year Maryland study, students using One95 achieved double the effect size of their peers at a randomly assigned comparison school on iReady—and those gains held equally for Black/African American students and economically disadvantaged students, providing strong evidence that the program delivers consistent results across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. |
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2-3 |
Maryland |
2020-2022 |
In a two-year Maryland study of 1,500+ students in grades 2 and 3—including significant populations in of Black/African American, ELL, SPED, and economically disadvantaged students—those using 95 Phonics Core Program outperformed peers on iReady diagnostics, with more than double the proportion reading on or above grade level by year’s end, even among students who started the year a full grade level behind. Other products studied: 95 Phonics Chip Kit |
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2-4 |
California |
2019-2022 |
Despite three years of pandemic disruption, a California school using 95 Percent Group products across Tier 1 and intervention achieved over 95% of students reading at grade level by Spring 2022—while also narrowing the ELA achievement gap for English language learners. Other products studied: 95 Multisyllable Routine Cards™, 95 Phonics Lesson Library, 95 Phonics Chip Kit, 95 Phonics Skill Series™: Short Vowels, 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School and Tune-Up |
Explore other Tier 1 studies
Note: studies open in the same tab.
| Edition | Grades | Location | Study period | Highlights | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
95 Multisyllable Routine Cards™ |
4-5 |
Maryland |
2020-2022 |
Just 10 minutes of daily 95 Multisyllable Routine Cards instruction nearly doubled the share of below-grade- level 4th and 5th graders reading at or above grade level by spring—with students gaining 25 and 19 points respectively, compared to 15 and 10 points the prior year. |
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95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Tune-Up Edition |
2-3 |
Pennsylvania |
2021-2022 |
After just 25 phonics review lessons using the 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Tune Up, 2nd and 3rd graders in a rural Pennsylvania district not only beat the summer slide—gaining up to 47 points on Acadience from spring to fall—but continued to show significant reading gains throughout the following school year without any additional intervention. |
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95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School Edition |
Rising 1-3 |
Arizona, California |
Summer 2021 |
Rising 1st graders using the 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School Edition gained 8 points on Acadience reading assessments while non-attendees lost 6 points—and rising 3rd graders who were well below benchmark gained 16 points compared to a 5-point decline for peers who did not use the program, making a compelling case for summer literacy intervention. |
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95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School Edition |
Rising 1-3 |
Arizona |
Summer 2021 |
A school district in Arizona used the 95 Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School Edition (SSE) for rising 1st to 3rd graders. Looking at Acadience reading scores at the beginning and end of the summer, all students who used SSE showed gains, with almost 25% of students gaining 20+ points on the test. Notably, the students who tested Below and Well Below Benchmark at the beginning of the summer gained the most points (well below students showed a +21 point change, below benchmark students showed a +18 point change). This suggests the SSE program effectively delivers phonics instruction even after only 4 weeks of use. |
The ripple effect: One school’s literacy journey
After implementing 95 Phonics Core Program across K-5, Boerne Independent School District saw meaningful growth in their student population—including students with dyslexia. Teachers credited the structured curriculum with transforming their own instruction. Their district’s success in early grades inspired them to extend the program through 5th grade.
48%
of students using 95 Phonics Core Program® in grades 4 and 5 reached mastery-ready benchmarks—compared to just 38% of their peers who did not have access to a structured phonics program.
“Five months into implementation, I got a message from a teacher that said, ‘My 95 Phonics Core Program assessment data was at 63 percent mastery for assessment one. And now, at assessment three, my students are at 92 percent mastery.’ Our goal is 95 percent mastery and we have three months of school left!”
Jen Burton
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Meeting the highest standards
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Tier 2 research
See the studies that highlight how our intervention products support teachers in closing achievement gaps and help students exit intervention faster.
Tier 3 research
Read the research showing how our solution helps teachers deliver effective, individualized support for students who need intensive intervention.
One95 Literacy Ecosystem research
Review research demonstrating how combining the aligned products of One95 Literacy Ecosystem delivers consistent, evidence-based instruction that accelerates student outcomes across all tiers.