HillRAP© Reading Intervention

HillRAP typically serves students with foundational gaps in literacy development due to one or more of the following profiles:

• Diagnosed or undiagnosed learning differences or attention challenges
• Limited English proficiency (i.e. English Language Learners)
• Effects of growing up in poverty

The Hill Reading Achievement Program, or HillRAP Digital, leverages technology to support teacher-delivered, individualized, small-group reading intervention for struggling readers. HillRAP is a mastery-based program that is ideally delivered in 45-minute blocks with a 4:1 student to teacher ratio. The HillRAP instructor and students access content–including individualized drill questions, word lists, and decodable texts–through wirelessly connected iPads.

Multiple independent, third party evaluations of HillRAP implementation in public schools have demonstrated positive impacts on student achievement and growth in reading.

For example, in one independent study with 151 HillRAP students in eight Title 1 Elementary Schools in Durham, NC, strong effect sizes (.40 or larger) were achieved in Passage Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Word Attack.

Access the full research reports here.

Teachers who seek to implement the Hill Reading Achievement Program (HillRAP) must register for a comprehensive, virtual training package that includes the online Breaking the Code: Phonological Awareness & Phonics course, HillRAP self-paced online training, HillRAP live webinar, and an observation by and feedback from a Hill trainer. Click on a training date below to learn more.

All HillRAP-trained teachers receive one coaching observation as part of their introductory package. Additional observations can be purchased to pursue intermediate level or full IMSLEC, Level 1 instructor certification. Learn more about HillRAP Certification. Further implementation support, including PLCs for teachers and administrators, is available for schools and districts adopting HillRAP.

There are two options for implementing HillRAP during distance, remote learning:

• If students have iPads and internet connectivity, HillRAP can be delivered over the internet just as if the teacher and student(s) were in the same classroom. Teachers should be able to support groups of up to four students with this method.
• A modified HillRAP lesson can be delivered remotely with 1-2 students at at time. Although some interactivity of the app is not possible, consistent, individualized instruction and data collection continues. Please reference our Guide to HillRAP Remote Instruction for more information.

• It’s grounded in the Science of Reading and the core components of literacy instruction – phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
• Differentiates student placement in the curriculum and carefully monitors student progress in real time 
• Guides teachers through instruction while allowing for teacher judgment and flexibility
• Tracks individual student service delivery time and progress through the program
• Online portal for teachers and administrators provides easy access to data, instructional resources, and reports
• Can move from in classroom to online direct student instruction without missing a beat
• Appropriate for students with dyslexia and those struggling with the foundational skills of reading 
• High quality, practical training supported by personal coaching and the opportunity to pursue IMSLEC-certification

View short video overviews of the HillRAP program, testimonials from partners, and demonstrations of program components.

Interested in seeing the components and how HillRAP actually works? Click here to watch a narrated overview of HillRAP Digital.