Program Description

"Blast, our research-proven 1st grade literacy program, develops decoding skills and fluency with high-frequency words as well as strategies for tackling new words and refining handwriting skills."

Cost

Pricing varies by classroom package. Additional components available for purchase. Contact the sales team for additional information (e.g., receive a customized quote).

Intended Population

• Core
• Intervention
• Intensified intervention
• SPED

Grade

• Elementary School

Intended Group Size

• Small group
• Classroom

ELL/DLL

• Partial

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Delivery Method

• Hybrid / blended delivery

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Skill Specific

Placement Tests

• Yes

Accelerated Learning

• Unspecified

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Yes

Error Correction Built In

• Yes

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

One third-party study found that students who participated in the HD Word program showed significant gains in reading skills, as measured by the STAR reading assessment. A more recent third-party study also reported positive effects, finding that students who received HD Word instruction scored significantly higher on NWEA MAP Reading assessments the following school year than those who did not receive Really Great Reading (RGR)-aligned instruction. Test scores indicated no summer learning loss. However, it is important to note that the studies were specially prepared for RGR and are not peer-reviewed. Since no peer-reviewed research was found, there is insufficient evidence to support the program's effectiveness.

Study Citations

Lee, A., & Shah, M. (2023). Really Great Reading: Examining impacts among urban charter school students. LearnPlatform. https://www.reallygreatreading.com/sites/default/files/Study-1-RGR-Study-1-ESSA-Level-II-Report_updated_20250721.pdf

SEG Measurement. (2018). Improving reading skills in a small, rural elementary school. https://www.reallygreatreading.com/sites/default/files/rgr_santaquin_case_study_8.14.18.pdf

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Insufficient evidence