How Southside School Leveraged BookNook to Help Close the Gap

 

 

 

 

 

Southside School has always set high standards, aiming to reduce the number of students needing additional reading support by 3% each year. With the introduction of high-quality instructional materials, the district wanted to accelerate that decrease. Some students were not achieving the desired improvements.

 

Recognizing that these students needed something more, Southside’s leadership team made the strategic decision to pilot BookNook. The program would specifically target students who attended school regularly but were not showing the same growth as their peers. It was a bold move, but one that Southside knew was necessary to bridge the gap.

 

 

 

In the pilot year, Southside School carefully selected students who, despite their regular attendance, struggled to meet growth expectations. The leadership team focused on grades 4 through 8, believing that these students would benefit most from the additional support provided by BookNook. The program was structured to deliver targeted sessions three times a week, designed to address the specific needs of these students. 

 

 

For the pilot to succeed, it was crucial that the program be easy for teachers to integrate into their existing routines. BookNook was designed so that teachers could facilitate the virtual sessions with BookNook tutors without the burden of additional planning. This approach was vital in gaining the buy-in of Southside’s teachers, who were already managing a full load of responsibilities. As the curriculum director, Novella Humphrey, noted, "It wasn’t one more thing for them—it was turnkey, and that was the deciding factor for its success." 

 

 

 

No pilot program is without its challenges, and Southside’s experience was no exception. Early on, technology issues with iPads presented a significant hurdle, but the district quickly adapted by switching to Chromebooks, which resolved many of the connectivity issues. Additionally, the leadership team identified the need for longer sessions, allowing students more time to engage with the material. By making these adjustments on the fly, Southside was able to maintain momentum and ensure the program's success.

 

 

 

The pilot was met with enthusiasm from students, who were motivated not only by the structured sessions but also by creative incentives, like a special lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. The engagement levels were high, with the majority of students attending regularly and participating actively in their sessions.  The strong rapport between tutors and students played a significant role in fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. Across two cohorts, 94% of the students who used BookNook enjoyed their sessions. 

 

 

 

 

The results of the pilot were impressive. Students who participated in the BookNook sessions regularly showed significant improvements in their reading abilities. Specifically, 74% of students demonstrated measurable growth in their Lexile levels, a clear indicator of the program’s effectiveness. In addition, students who participated in the BookNook program with more fidelity (attended at least 20 sessions) experienced approximately five months of reading gains on average across all participating grade levels.  This success provided the district with the evidence it needed to consider expanding the program further. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The positive outcomes weren’t limited to students. Teachers were also enthusiastic about the program and expressed a desire to expand it to include math tutoring. The simplicity and effectiveness of the program were key factors in its success. To other schools considering using BookNook’s tutoring services, Novella highlighted the importance of leveraging data to drive these outcomes, stating, "Pay attention to those data points and really leverage that to make changes in your schedule or implementation to bring about the best possible results."

 

 

 

 

Buoyed by the success of the reading pilot, Southside School is now preparing to expand the BookNook program to include math tutoring in the upcoming school year. The district is also committed to continuing its focus on strengthening Tier 1 instruction while using BookNook as a critical layer of support for students who need additional help. This dual approach will ensure that every student at Southside has the opportunity to succeed, both in reading and math.

 

 

The successful partnership between Southside School and BookNook is a testament to what can be achieved when a school is willing to innovate and adapt. Novella Humphrey, who has overseen the program’s implementation, had high praise for the collaboration, stating, "BookNook has the best customer support of any service we use." With such strong support and clear results, Southside School is well-positioned to continue its journey of academic excellence in Batesville, Arkansas.