At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year Washington Elementary in Lamar, CO received an Early Literacy Grant . The same year, the district began working with CORE. At the start of that school year, building-wide (Grades K-2) 32% of students scored “Well Below Benchmark” on DIBELS, 20% “Below Benchmark,” and 48% “Benchmark.” After three years of the grant and partnering with CORE to implement best practices, just 8% of students were “Well Below Benchmark,” 8% “Below Benchmark,” 84% were “Benchmark.” This equates to a decrease of 24% “Well Below Benchmark,” 12% decrease of “Below Benchmark,” and an increase of 36% “Benchmark.” Watch a short video to hear from Principal Kenny Davis and Washington Elementary teachers how their work with CORE has improved reading instruction.