Passport Reading Journeys uses a blended approach focused on engaging students with age-appropriate content in areas of science and social studies. Through action-packed DVDs, engaging expository text, interactive technology, an online assessment system, and carefully created sample dialogue for teachers, students learn about topics such as Forensics, Fitness and Health, and Cultural Connections.

Student growth is measured in terms of Lexiles. The Lexile Framework for Reading is a scientific approach to reading measurement that matches readers to text. The Lexile Framework measures both reader ability and text difficulty on the same scale, called the Lexile scale. Teachers are able to easily administer the measures through Voyager's web-based assessment system. Based on the analyzer by MetaMetrics^® the percentage of comprehension of grade level content across subject areas increased for all students.

Across the United States, strong progress was made by the nearly 100,000 students in all grades enrolled in Passport Reading Journeys. After one year in the program, more students at each grade level finished the year reading within the grade level Lexile range.

Sixth-grade students gained 92 Lexiles, 32 Lexiles more than expected by sixth-grade students. Seventh-grade students gained 127 Lexiles, 67 Lexiles more than the expected gain. Eighth-grade students gained 146 Lexiles, 86 Lexiles more than expected. Ninth-grade students gained 165 Lexiles, exceeding the expected gain by 135 Lexiles.

In addition, students with diverse needs receiving services such as special education and limited English proficiency support are surpassing the expectations of their teachers and parents and they are learning to read. Passport Reading Journeys is also endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education.

"Students in Passport Reading Journeys maintained their concentration because of the high-interest stories in which technology had been incorporated," says Alexandra Conniff, special education teacher at Admiral Moorer Middle School in Eufaula, Alabama. "Our students increased their time on task and Lexiles improved for our students who used Journeys."

To obtain a copy of the complete report electronically, visit: http://www.voyagerlearning.com/ResearchStudyDocuments/PRJ_Evaluation_Report.pdf