The pandemic left deep scars on American literacy. Across the nation, reading proficiency plummeted as students missed critical early learning opportunities. While recovery is underway, many K-2 students remain below pre-pandemic literacy levels—a gap that threatens their entire educational trajectory.
Texas has passed legislation to support literacy skill growth. Enacted in 2019, House Bill 3 requires schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials aligned with the Science of Reading (SoR). House Bill 1605 further supports SoR by requiring that research-based best practices be used for phonics and early reading instruction.
Texas recognized this crisis and responded with legislative action. House Bill 3 (2019) requires schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials aligned with the Science of Reading. House Bill 1605 reinforces this commitment by mandating research-based phonics and early reading instruction. Yet even with these measures, the data shows there is more work to be done.
While these are steps in the right direction for Texas readers, data proves that there’s more to be done.
Uplift knew that closing these gaps required more than classroom instruction alone. The solution? A strategic partnership with OnYourMark Education for high-impact literacy tutoring.
Both organizations shared a commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction. Uplift had already implemented Science of Reading best practices and used DIBELS® assessments to monitor student progress. OnYourMark's curriculum aligns seamlessly with these approaches, utilizing the same research-backed methods and assessment tools to create individualized tutoring programs.
"The idea in working with OnYourMark was to ensure those gaps got filled and kids were reading at or above grade level by the time they exited the program," notes Erber.
Success required more than curriculum alignment—it demanded teacher buy-in. As Erber emphasizes, "You have to have everyone on the same page. You can't ask people to implement something they don't understand or believe in."
Imani Thomas, Primary Dean at Uplift Luna Preparatory, initially approached the partnership with healthy skepticism. Having taught through the pandemic, she questioned whether virtual tutoring could truly engage young learners. "I was hesitant because of OnYourMark being virtual. I was concerned about student engagement."
However, Thomas and her colleagues remained open to supporting their literacy instruction—provided they understood:
OnYourMark's model integrates seamlessly into the school day, supplementing rather than replacing classroom instruction. The approach provides:
"It's what I needed," reflects Thomas. "As a teacher, you try to do all the things, but it takes a village. When I can work with them, parents can work with them, and they receive tutoring, we're all pouring into this student to uplift their overall knowledge."
Since 2021, OnYourMark has proven transformational for Uplift's literacy outcomes. The partnership underwent rigorous evaluation through a randomized controlled trial, delivering impressive results.
The National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) at Stanford University conducted an independent study during the 2022-2023 pilot at Uplift Luna. The research revealed remarkable gains:
OnYourMark's success extends beyond curriculum and methodology to something equally crucial: genuine partnership. Unlike many education initiatives imposed from above, OnYourMark's team—comprising experienced educators who understand classroom realities—prioritizes transparency and collaboration.
Thomas describes the difference: "The buy-in has been exceptional because of our partnership and the effort invested in creating it. Aaron Schlessman [Managing Director of Implementation and Partnerships] joined our K-2 grade-level PLC meetings virtually, explaining the program and answering teacher questions. That openness and transparency get teachers on board."
This relationship-first approach creates multiple support layers. Thomas can bring concerns directly to OnYourMark through regular meetings, email, or text. The responsiveness has impressed Uplift leadership, with Erber noting 85-95% session attendance and describing classroom atmospheres during tutoring as consistently positive.
"The tutors are genuinely invested in the kids," observes Thomas. "They'll reach out with concerns about specific students. I see kids get excited for OnYourMark sessions—if it's not a tutoring day, they ask, 'No OnYourMark today?' They're genuinely excited about being there and learning."
Parents notice improvements extending beyond test scores to something more fundamental: academic confidence. As one Uplift parent shared with CEO Yasmin Bhatia: "She used to quit when struggling, but now she sounds out words and reads sight words. She's more excited about reading. OnYourMark has definitely helped her second-grade scores, but I keep returning to the confidence she's built—without confidence, you can't do anything else."
OnYourMark's success at Uplift Education demonstrates that closing literacy gaps requires more than good curriculum—it demands evidence-based instruction, intensive intervention, and authentic partnerships built on trust and transparency.
The results speak for themselves: measurable academic gains, improved student engagement, enhanced teacher confidence, and strengthened parent satisfaction. Perhaps most telling is Thomas's reflection: "I would genuinely be upset if we stopped using OnYourMark. The data speaks for itself, and the successes and relationships speak for themselves. I hope we can continue partnering with OnYourMark."
That sentiment captures the hallmark of truly successful partnerships—relationships that transform not just outcomes, but entire learning communities.
Ready to explore how OnYourMark can support your school's literacy goals? Our team is standing by to discuss your unique needs and design a partnership that delivers measurable results for your students. Get in touch today.
Uplift Education is a charter school network centered in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Thank you to Mr. Nick Erber and Ms. Imani Thomas for their contributions to this case study.