The Evidence Behind Secret Stories®: Proof, Not Promises
Across 27 studies and 800+ students, independent research firm LXD Research measured a 1.62 average effect size, earning Secret Stories® the ESSA Tier 1 Strong Evidence rating.
One Chart Says It Best
Effect size measures how much a program actually moves student outcomes. Researchers consider 0.25 strong. The average of the 100 most-researched reading programs is 0.24. Secret Stories® measures 1.62.
What the Studies Show
27 studies across 800+ students, completed by LXD Research, an independent third-party research firm. Here is what classrooms measured.
Texas Study: Faster Mastery with Mnemonics
In just 3 months, kindergartners who learned phonics with Secret Stories® mastered their letters and sounds 5x faster than those using standard instruction alone.
RCT Study, TexasIndiana Study: Triple the Speed of Learning Sounds
Students exposed to the Better Alphabet® Song reached phonics mastery nearly 3x faster than peers without it, most within just two weeks of school.
Quasi-Experimental, IndianaArkansas First Grade Study: Outperforming the Odds
Despite starting behind, first graders using Secret Stories® surpassed all 3 control classes, with 90% reading at or above grade level by the end of the year.
Quasi-Experimental, ArkansasTennessee First Grade Study
Students learning with Secret Stories® not only surpassed grade-level standards, they were the only class in their school to do so.
Quasi-Experimental, TennesseeMaryland First Grade Study: From Struggling to Surpassing
By the end of the year, 89% of students reached grade level, despite 91% starting at kindergarten level. One-third read at a second-grade level or higher.
Quasi-Experimental, MarylandVirginia First Grade Study: Historic Growth in Spelling and Reading
Students improved an average of 252% in reading levels. Over 60% were reading at or above 3rd grade level while still in 1st grade.
Quasi-Experimental, VirginiaHow the Research Translates to Your Classroom
No curriculum replacement. Secret Stories® layers onto whatever your school already uses.
Layer it on, do not swap it in
Secret Stories® works alongside any core curriculum as a plug-in supplement. Teachers fold it into the literacy block they already run, with no overhaul required.
Teach the why behind the letters
Story-based mnemonics give students the logic behind letter behavior, engaging the visual, auditory, emotional, and kinesthetic pathways the brain uses to encode and retrieve patterns.
See measurable gains fast
Classrooms report measurable results within 30 days, with studies showing average reading gains of 1.5 to 2+ grade levels across Pre-K through 5th grade.
Trusted Where It Counts
Used in districts including NYC DOE, LAUSD, Fresno USD, and Gwinnett County.
See It in Your Classroom
The same materials behind the 1.62 effect size, packed into one kit per classroom.
Shop Phonics Class Kits Try free printables firstQuestions Educators Ask
The short answers, straight from the research and the classrooms using it.
Is this a curriculum or a supplement?
A supplement. Secret Stories® is a plug-in resource that layers onto any core curriculum your school already uses. There is no replacement, no re-adoption process, and no overhaul of your literacy block.
What does ESSA Tier 1 STRONG mean?
ESSA, the Every Student Succeeds Act, defines four tiers of evidence. Strong (Tier 1) is the top. It requires at least one well-designed, randomized controlled trial showing statistically significant positive effects. Districts can use Title I, II, and IV federal funding on ESSA Strong programs.
How fast do teachers see results?
Classrooms report measurable results within 30 days. In the Indiana study, most students reached alphabet mastery within two weeks, and across the research base classrooms average 1.5 to 2+ grade levels of reading growth.
How do I fund it?
Because Secret Stories® meets the ESSA Tier 1 strong evidence standard, it qualifies for Title I, II, and IV federal funds, IDEA funds, and most state literacy grants. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly who to ask and what to say. See the funding guide
Ready to Put the Evidence to Work?
We will prepare a formal quote your business office can attach to a purchase order, usually within 1 business day. Vendor and W-9 paperwork is ready to download.
Talk to us about district pricing →