Reading Horizons' Structured Literacy Framework Drives Gains for Students with Disabilities — HEC Software, Inc. (Reading Horizons)

Event summary

Holy Childhood School in Rochester implemented Reading Horizons' structured literacy framework, achieving significant gains in phonics proficiency among students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
High school students improved 27.3% in consonant sound recognition and 47% in short vowel proficiency from September 2025 to January 2026.
Middle school students showed a 17.1% average gain in consonant sounds and a 35.3% increase in short vowel proficiency over the same period.
The school adapted the Reading Horizons framework with multi-modal techniques, including mirrors, microphones, music, and AAC devices, to meet the unique needs of its students.
Reading Horizons' phonics screener was used to track progress three times annually, measuring growth against individual starting points rather than standard benchmarks.

The big picture

Reading Horizons' success at Holy Childhood highlights the growing demand for specialized literacy solutions in special education. With only 30% of fourth graders reading proficiently nationwide, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the need for effective, adaptable literacy programs is critical. This case study demonstrates the potential of structured literacy to transform outcomes for students who have historically been left behind by traditional educational models.

What we're watching

Scalability: Whether Reading Horizons can replicate these results in other schools serving students with disabilities, expanding its market reach beyond Holy Childhood.
Adaptation: The pace at which Reading Horizons can adapt its framework to meet the diverse needs of students with varying disabilities across different educational settings.
Industry Impact: How this success story influences broader adoption of structured literacy methods in special education, potentially shifting industry standards.