Case Study: Union City School District achieves significant NJ ASK gains for English learners and special education students with Edmentum's Study Island

English Learners and Special Education Students in Union City Raise Their State Test Scores with Study Island

Union City School District, a 14-school urban district in Union City, NJ serving 10,000+ students (92% economically disadvantaged, 42% limited English proficient, 11% special education), faced the challenge of closing achievement gaps and raising NJ ASK scores for high-need student subgroups. The district needed standards-aligned, differentiated instruction and progress monitoring to support ELLs and students with disabilities.

Beginning in 2006 the district implemented Study Island district-wide to provide standards-based practice in math, reading and writing, bilingual supports, and real-time reporting to drive RtI and targeted interventions. Between 2005 and 2008 LEP students improved by about 20% in language arts and 15% in math (grades 3, 4, 7 and 8), while special education students gained roughly 15% in language arts and 10% in math; the district reports that skill attainment became institutionalized and the program remains in use.

Union City School District

Lucy Soovajian

Supervisor for Academic Programs