TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Northwest Education Services (North Ed), in partnership with Heggerty, a leading provider of foundational literacy solutions, announced today that their joint partnership has led to statistically significant improvements in literacy outcomes for students in Michigan.
A recent independent, quasi-experimental study of 873 first- and second-grade students, who began the year below grade level in reading, found that students who received “Bridge to Reading” curriculum for small-group instruction outperformed comparison peers on the NWEA MAP Reading assessment by the end of the school year. Overall, the impact represented about 3.18 additional months of reading gains, with statistically significant results in both first and second grade. Positive outcomes were also observed across student subgroups, including students receiving special education services and students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting the program supports students who may have the greatest need.
Lauren Davison is an elementary literacy coach at North Ed who worked with local school districts to implement the Bridge to Reading program.
“These results are really a reflection of the incredible work our teachers are doing every day,” Davison said. “They’ve embraced new learning, partnered with the Heggerty team and used these resources to provide targeted support for students who need it most. It’s rewarding to see that dedication reflected in growth for their students.”
The Bridge to Reading study was conducted in 29 schools within the North Ed’s service area, which spans the five counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau.
“The state of Michigan is looking closely at student literacy rates, and it is encouraging to see strong positive results from a program implemented in our region,” said Ashley Troy, director of teaching and learning at North Ed. “Heggerty’s Bridge to Reading curriculum offers educators one more tool they can use to make meaningful impacts on a child’s ability to read, creating the foundation needed for future learning.”
“It’s very exciting to see this research that validates what we at Heggerty have always known–that when foundational skills are taught explicitly, systematically and coherently, opportunities for success expand,” said Marjorie Bottari, VP of Academics and Learning Design at Heggerty. “These findings show that those opportunities extend to all students, not just those who would succeed regardless of curriculum. By strengthening explicit instruction and providing responsive support when needed, Bridge to Reading helps create clear, consistent pathways to reading success across varied groups of learners.”
In the study that earned Bridge to Reading ESSA Level II (Moderate) evidence of outcomes, the findings suggest that the use of Bridge to Reading translates to higher levels of proficiency in reading, with fewer students ending the year being considered “At Risk.” These findings are a promising indication that Bridge to Reading can play an important role in helping students who begin the year below grade level to make meaningful progress in reading, with targeted foundational skills instruction helping more students move toward grade-level proficiency over time.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader,” said Kai-leé Berke, CEO of Heggerty. “These findings align with trends outlined in the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress’ Long Term Trend report, which shows that the use of Science of Reading aligned curricula are beginning to positively impact 3rd grade reading scores, particularly for students who are farther behind than their peers. We are grateful to Northwest Education Services for their partnership and thrilled that Bridge to Reading is driving these kinds of outcomes and helping to close the gaps for their students.”
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About Heggerty
Heggerty is a leading provider of research-based foundational literacy solutions, providing innovative, proven reading and writing support and resources for Pre-K through 5th-grade classrooms. Heggerty’s integrated collection of solutions translates research and theory into coherent, integrated classroom practices that connect phonemic awareness, phonics, and language to support reading and writing success. Heggerty specializes in providing teachers with the approachable, research-backed resources they need to close student skill gaps and offer deep supplemental support that can layer on top of any core ELA curricula. For more information, visit www.Heggerty.org.
About Northwest Education Services
Northwest Education Services supports more than 20,000 students at local school districts throughout Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. As the region’s intermediate school district, it operates adult, vocational and special education programming, supports professional development for educators, coordinates regional early childhood initiatives and provides a variety of operational services to local school districts. For more information, visit www.NorthwestEd.org.