K-2 Literacy Study

J. Anne Calhoon, Ph. D. Educational Psychology, University of New Mexico

Please note that studies prior to 2019 refer to the Focus System as ‘iLs’.

Summary: A controlled study involving 64 K-2 at-risk students was conducted by U of New Mexico researcher Anne Calhoon, Ph.D. Students participated in the Alpha Program,* a program combining iLs with art therapy. The average improvement in reading over the 3-month intervention was 2 years.  “Taken as a whole, this analysis indicates that the students in the experimental group have improved in all categories associated with reading. This improved achievement is significantly greater (more meaningful) than the improvements of the control group peers. Overall the picture presented of the students in ALPHA is one that shows immense growth in cognitive, academic, and psychological areas.”