This case study describes the scaling of Reading Corps, a literacy intervention designed to improve reading proficiency, by United Ways of Iowa (UWI) and its partners. When scaling Reading Corps, the focus is not only on implementing an intervention, but also on reproducing the same effects for a larger or different population.
 
Goals:
This case study provides insights about how UWI and its partners are scaling Reading Corps, as well as the factors that appear to facilitate and hinder scaling. The case study examines three approaches UWI and its partners used to scale their interventions: expansion, replication, and adaptation.
 
Research Questions:
The research questions are:
  • How did selected grantees define and operationalize scaling?
  • How did selected grantees scale evidence-based interventions?
Findings:
The case study found the following:
  • A highly structured intervention facilitates replication and expansion.
  • Replication and fidelity requirements facilitate the implementation of an effective intervention but limit consideration of changes and improvements.
  • Communication and collaboration help facilitate scaling, although ensuring communication remains strong after scaling can be a challenge.
  • Limited personnel size and organizational infrastructure have been a key challenge.
  • Stakeholder and partner support has contributed to some of the intervention’s greatest strengths and challenges.

For more information, download the case study.

Scaling Evidence-Based Models (SEBM) Project
 The Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) initiated the Scaling Evidence-Based Models project to support the scaling of effective interventions. This case study is part of ORE’s Scaling Evidence-Based Models project, which includes additional resources that contribute to the study and application of scaling effective interventions. Below are additional scaling resources:

Full report

Full Report

Further information

Program/Intervention
Scaling Reading Corps, Best Practice Dissemination
Implementing Organization
CNCS Office of Research and Evaluation Commissioned Report
Intermediary(s)

United Way of Iowa

Age(s) Studied
0-5 (Early childhood)
6-12 (Childhood)
Focus Population(s)/Community(s)
Schools
Rural
Suburban
Urban
Outcome Category
School readiness
K-12 success
Improving AmeriCorps
Study Type(s)
Case Study or Descriptive
Researcher/Evaluator
Mathematica
Published Year
2020
Study Site Location (State)
Iowa