If you’re like most Michigan educators, you understand the importance of supporting your students’ early literacy journey, but Individual Reading Improvement Plans (IRIPs) are proving to be an administrative challenge. Here’s how you can integrate eSpark into your Michigan IRIPs to help meet many of the K-3 essential practices in early literacy.

Writing eSpark into Your IRIPs

eSpark is being used in Michigan districts to support four IRIP instructional focus areas:

  • Phonics: Ability to understand the relationship between letters and sounds they represent
  • Fluency: Ability to read with sufficient speed to support understanding
  • Comprehension: Ability to understand and draw meaning from text
  • Writing: Ability to use mechanics in writing OR ability to compose quality writing

Click the button below for specific wording ideas, prescriptive usage recommendations, and eSpark best practices for teachers.

eSpark and the Science of Reading

Michigan teachers can trust eSpark to deliver differentiated instruction and practice aligned with the Science of Reading. From systematic, explicit instructional videos to AI-powered speech recognition and decodable readers, eSpark is the perfect classroom complement to core reading instruction.

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Evidence-Based and Proven Effective

eSpark meets all the criteria for research/evidence-based instructional strategies under the Read by Grade Three law.

Click the button below to learn more about how eSpark’s research-based Theory of Learning guides our development, or explore the efficacy studies showing a direct correlation between eSpark usage and improved student outcomes on independent interim assessments.

How does eSpark support the key components of IRIPs?

  • 1. Identification of reading deficiency
    • eSpark integrates with MDE-approved initial assessments like NWEA Map Growth and Renaissance Star to align student placement with screening results. If you’re using a different assessment tool, eSpark’s placement test places students at the correct level in each reading domain before they get started. The program’s ongoing diagnostic serves as a supplemental, non-standardized assessment throughout each student’s journey.
  • 2. Development of a customized reading plan
    • eSpark can easily serve as a foundational element for any reading plan. eSpark’s Adaptive Path ensures students are always working at the correct level independently. Teacher-assigned Small Group Skiils mini lessons provide targeted skill-based practice to help close gaps.
  • 3. Monitoring and documenting progress
    • eSpark’s student activity and progress monitoring reports provide transparency and insights for teachers at every step. Track student progress over time or lean on prescriptive intervention recommendations when students are struggling.
  • 4. Engagement with families
    • eSpark is a popular addition to Read at Home plans. Built-in parent communication features like the eSpark Parent Letter (available in English and Spanish) and printable individual student mastery reports support teacher efforts to keep parents in the loop.
  • 5. Provision of additional instructional time
    • eSpark is a versatile supplement to core instruction. Students can get their required IRIP time in with independent center rotations, work-at-home assignments, or small group time. Most IRIPs can be appropriately supported in just two or three 20-30 minute eSpark sessions per week.

Meet With an eSpark Michigan IRIP Expert

Matt Robinson is a former teacher from Michigan. He knows Read by Grade Three inside and out, and has helped dozens of schools and districts effectively implement eSpark. Book a meeting with him directly or click the button below to get in touch.

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