Evidence-Based literacy instruction

RAVE-O has been rigorously tested in NICHD-funded, randomized control-treatment studies. Students receiving RAVE-O instruction consistently outperformed comparison groups on decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

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Key Findings

Results replicated across measures. Moves beyond just Phonics.

A longitudinal NICHD-funded study compared RAVE-O against a phonics-only control group that received the same amount of phonics time. RAVE-O students outperformed on every measure.

.99

Avg. Effect size across reading and language measures (Lovett et al, 2017)

2×

The phonics gains — even though RAVE-O devoted less time to phonics alone

1 yr

Vocabulary gains sustained post-intervention, even for untrained words

Grades 1–2

Greatest gains; early intervention matters most

Cross-Sectional Study

Students outperformed on every measure.

A cross-sectional study funded by the NICHD found students receiving RAVE-O instruction outperformed comparison groups in decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension. Uniquely, students made significant gains in vocabulary not only for the polysemous aspects of trained Core Words, but also for untrained words post-intervention and a year later.

Longitudinal Study

Multicomponent integration exceeds phonics alone.

A longitudinal NICHD-funded study measured the effectiveness of RAVE-O (and EMPOWER, another multi-componential program) for children in Grades 1–3. All children in multicomponent treatment groups made significantly more gains than controls, with average effect sizes of .99. Critically: the phonics-only control group received twice the amount of phonics time. RAVE-O still produced greater gains, because connecting phonics to other language processes is more effective than phonics alone.

Why Timing Matters

Grade 1–2 intervention produces even greater gains than Grade 3.

Foundational reading skills in 1st and 2nd grade produced greater gains than that for children receiving intervention in Grade 3. While RAVE-O helps students of all ages, this demonstrates how early intervention with RAVE-O can help narrow the achievement gap, and why early screeners are critical for ensuring intervention happens at the earliest time possible.

Narrows the achievement gap

Early identification + early RAVE-O intervention prevents reading difficulties from compounding.

Screeners matter

The data underscores the importance of accurate assessment to catch struggling readers in Grades K–3.

The Data

Published findings, across measures.

Results are peer-reviewed, replicated, and published across 160+ scientific papers.

Bar chart showing Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised Word Attack standard scores before and after intervention for Control, Phonics Only, and RAVE-O groups, with RAVE-O showing the largest gains.

Bar chart showing Gray Oral Reading Test-3 fluency and comprehension scores before and after intervention for Control, Phonics Only, and RAVE-O groups, with RAVE-O showing the largest gains.

Bar chart showing Word-R Test expressive vocabulary and semantics scores for trained and untrained words, comparing RAVE-O Core Words performance to standard vocabulary test results.

Line chart showing model-predicted Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised Passage Comprehension scores rising over time for RAVE-O treatment groups compared to control groups, by grade.

Why the Results Hold

Integration is what makes RAVE-O work.

RAVE-O is the only program to simultaneously integrate phonology, orthography, semantics, syntax, the alphabetic principle, and morphology, using the same Core Words every lesson. These same components are then implemented immediately in connected text. The gains aren’t accidental. They’re a direct result of how the program is designed to mirror the architecture of how the brain reads.

Explore the POSSUM approach →

Diagram of the POSSUM model showing the word "bat" at the center surrounded by its six components: phonology, orthography, semantics, syntax, understanding of the alphabetic principle, and morphology, illustrated with images of the word's different meanings.

From Practitioners

What teachers say.

“RAVE-O is an incredibly innovative and engaging intervention program. Through its comprehensive POSSUM approach, RAVE-O provides both effective and fun ways to build the wiring of the reading brain.”

Nancy Young

Co-author of Ladder to Reading

It's a very strong program to which I am already seeing some positive results from my second grade students!

Just a short share...I had a student, after reading the Minute Story, just once~ had a surprised look on her face, because she "could read" the story~ and then asked me right after, "Can I have this book?" This is a student who has been struggling for a while now, who said she didn't like reading because it was hard, and is now showing motivation to want to read ~ It was such an emotional moment for the both of us!

S.S.

Stacey

2nd Grade Teacher, California