February 06, 2025
Case Studies
Most schools saw third grade reading scores drop during the pandemic, including O.C. Johnson Elementary in Yuma, a community school that students and families look to for help with many basic needs.
But scores at O.C. Johnson have rebounded in recent years and soared past pre-pandemic levels in 2024: 72% of the school's third graders were at or above proficiency on Arizona's ELA assessment, well above the state average.
Read On Arizona sat down with several of O.C. Johnson’s leaders and educators to understand the strategies that have contributed to the school’s dramatic improvement in student achievement:
- Meeting the instructional needs of each student.
- Maximizing learning time.
- Providing high quality preschool.
- Engaging families to support student learning.
About the Case Studies
Our "Decoding What Works" case studies highlight elementary schools and early learning programs in Arizona that have made exceptional gains in literacy and the strategies behind their success. Because understanding what is working for them can serve as guidance and inspiration for other educators, schools, and districts.
