Halifax Learning Student Results Spring 2025

At Halifax Learning, we’re proud to share the impact of our work. We share the measurable gains that reflect the hard work of our students and the power of the SpellRead program.

The charts below show how students grow over time, from their first days with us to five and ten months into their learning journey. You’ll see average progress in the core areas that matter most for strong readers: decoding, fluency, comprehension, and spelling.

We believe in being clear, honest, and results-driven, and we’re excited to show you what’s possible when the right support is in place.

Phonological processing is the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. It includes skills like identifying sounds, blending sounds together, and breaking words into sounds. 

Strong phonological processing allows readers to sound out unfamiliar words, recognize patterns in language, and build automatic word recognition. Without it, reading can become slow, effortful, and frustrating. Since phonological processing is a foundational skill for literacy, strengthening it through structured reading instruction significantly improves a student’s ability to read with confidence and comprehension.

Decoding is the ability to apply knowledge of letter-sound relationships to read words accurately and fluently. It involves breaking down words into their individual sounds (phonemes) and blending them together to form recognizable words.

Decoding is a fundamental reading skill because it allows students to read unfamiliar words independently, build vocabulary, and develop reading fluency. Without strong decoding skills, reading can be slow and frustrating, making it harder to understand and enjoy texts.

Word reading fluency is the ability to read words accurately, quickly, and effortlessly. It allows readers to recognize words automatically without needing to stop and decode each one. Strong fluency frees up cognitive resources, so readers can focus on understanding the meaning of the text rather than struggling with individual words.

Fluent word reading is essential for comprehension, confidence, and enjoyment of reading. When students develop fluency, they can read more smoothly, engage with texts more deeply, and build the stamina needed for longer reading tasks. Effective instruction and practice help strengthen fluency, setting the foundation for lifelong reading success.

Text reading fluency is the ability to read connected text accurately, at an appropriate speed, and with natural expression. It goes beyond just recognizing words—it includes reading smoothly, grouping words into meaningful phrases, and using intonation that reflects the meaning of the text.

Fluent text reading is essential for comprehension because it allows readers to focus on understanding the message rather than struggling with individual words. When students develop fluency, reading becomes more enjoyable, efficient, and engaging. Strong fluency supports academic success and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, interpret, and engage with a text. It involves making sense of words, sentences, and ideas while drawing connections to prior knowledge and thinking critically about what is being read. Strong comprehension skills allow readers to extract meaning, make inferences, and analyze information effectively.

Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading—it’s what makes reading meaningful and useful. Without it, reading is just word recognition without understanding. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential for learning across all subjects, problem-solving, and developing a deeper appreciation for literature and information. 

Spelling development is the process of learning how to accurately represent spoken language in written form. It involves understanding letter-sound relationships, recognizing common spelling patterns, and applying word structure rules. As students progress through the SpellRead progress, their spelling becomes more automatic, which supports their overall literacy skills.

Spelling is important because it reinforces reading and writing. Strong spelling skills help with word recognition, reading fluency, and written communication. When students can spell confidently, they can focus more on expressing their ideas rather than struggling with word formation. Effective spelling instruction enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and overall language proficiency, contributing to long-term literacy success.