New Brighton, PA — New Brighton Elementary School is already seeing impressive results after just one year of implementing Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI)—and the progress hasn’t gone unnoticed. On a recent visit to the district, Dr. Carole Clancy, Bureau Director of Special Education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, got a firsthand look at how the school is transforming early literacy instruction—and student outcomes.
New Brighton was selected to receive the three-year SPEL (Success for PA Early Learners) Grant beginning in the 2024–2025 school year. The grant supports the implementation of ECRI, a multi-tiered instructional framework focused on strengthening both Tier 1 and Tier 2 reading instruction. The phased rollout begins with kindergarten this year, first grade in 2025–2026, and second grade in 2026–2027. The program is administered by the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit.
Designed around highly structured and research-based teaching routines, ECRI aims to make reading instruction more effective and efficient—and so far, it’s working.
The kindergarten team at New Brighton Elementary recently released data from the first year of implementation. The progress is striking:
- Fall (Beginning of Year):
Not Proficient – 68 students
Proficient – 15 students
Total Tested – 83 students - Winter (Middle of Year):
Not Proficient – 49 students
Proficient – 35 students
Total Tested – 84 students - Spring (End of Year):
Not Proficient – 18 students
Proficient – 64 students
Total Tested – 82 students
In short, the number of students meeting proficiency more than quadrupled from fall to spring.
“It is truly amazing how far this program has come in such a short time,” said New Brighton Elementary School Principal Dr. Jason Hall. “When I walk through and hear the lessons being taught, or when we look at the data and hear the goals that are being set, I am truly proud of the team.”
Dr. Hall credited not only the curriculum but also the collaborative environment that has grown around it. “Beyond the lessons and data, the other positive plug for the program is your reaction during meetings and conversations. It is refreshing to hear the positive collaboration and collective understanding about instruction and student learning.”
He also gave special thanks to literacy coaches Lauren Lutz from PaTTAN and Karin Pilarski, TAC Team Consultant at the BVIU for their leadership. “Without your guidance, this program would not be where it is today,” he added.
“This experience has been one of the most rewarding of my educational Career,” Pilarski said. “And I can’t wait to see the successes continue with the first grade students and their teachers as we begin the next school year.”
Superintendent Dr. Joe Guarino joined Dr. Clancy during her visit, which included classroom observations and conversations with staff. The visit highlighted how New Brighton is modeling statewide best practices for early literacy—and turning data into meaningful growth for young readers.
And while some key contributors stayed behind the camera during the visit, their impact was clearly felt. The results speak volumes: New Brighton isn’t just rolling out a new curriculum. It’s rewriting its story on early reading success.