Ongoing research and evaluation are essential to Reading Recovery’s success. Since Reading Recovery was introduced in the United States in 1984, data have been collected and analyzed for each of the more than 2.3 million children served.

The International Data Evaluation Center (IDEC), an ongoing research project in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University, is responsible for collecting and analyzing data. Reading Recovery teachers enter data through IDEC’s secure website for each student they serve. Teacher Leaders review and approve data, then receive evaluation reports each year for each training site, school, and school district. IDEC also prepares national reports, conducts academic research, collaborates with faculty at other universities on a variety of research endeavors, and assists researchers in their efforts.

The extensive IDEC database has made Reading Recovery accountable to schools and funding sources, and informed teaching and management decisions. An annual technical report of Reading Recovery results is available each year and is posted on the IDEC website.

In addition to IDEC evaluation, Reading Recovery university training centers throughout the U.S. analyze and publish outcomes. Evaluation frequently includes qualitative data about stakeholders’ perspectives on Reading Recovery: parents, classroom teachers, administrators, and Reading Recovery professionals.

Learn more about IDEC and review recent reports of Reading Recovery Students compared to a random sample of students who did not receive the intervention by visiting the International Data Evaluation Center.