--- title: Explicit Phonics Instruction Moves the Needle - Success Story description: Discover how Kennett Consolidated School District boosted English Learner proficiency from 7% to 55% with explicit phonics instruction. Read the full success story of this district's journey to academic growth and multilingual celebration. --- [Skip to content](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/explicit-phonics-instruction-moves-the-needle-success-story#skip-link-destination) [![Benchmark Education Company](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/BEC-weblogo.jpg?width=230&height=46&name=BEC-weblogo.jpg "Benchmark Education Company")](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/) [![Benchmark Education](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/BEC-weblogo.jpg?width=240&name=BEC-weblogo.jpg)](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/) # **Explicit Phonics Instruction Moves the Needle** ## **One District's Journey of Growth Towards Proficiency for English Learners** Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) celebrates multilingualism and is proud of its multicultural community. When 93% of English Learners in grades 1-5 were not on track to proficiency, however, the district knew some changes were needed. In response, KCSD developed a multi-phased plan that included a strong focus on teaching explicit phonics, using Benchmark Phonics and Phonics Intervention. This District Partnership Success Story recounts how the Kennett Consolidated School District moved the needle, growing the percentage of English Learners on track to proficiency from 7 to 55%. ### Access Success Story Success Story # Explicit Phonics Instruction Moves the Needle ## One District’s Journey of Growth Toward Proficiency for English Learners KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT ![One District’s Journey of Growth Toward Proficiency for English Learners KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/success-story-kennett-square.png?width=1336&height=1688&name=success-story-kennett-square.png "One District’s Journey of Growth Toward Proficiency for English Learners KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT") [![Explicit Phonics Instruction Moves the Needle](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/hubfs/Explicit%20Phonics%20Instruction%20Moves%20the%20Needle.png "Explicit Phonics Instruction Moves the Needle")](https://info.benchmarkeducation.com/hubfs/Success%20Stories/Success-Story-Explicit-Phonics-Instruction-Moves-the-Needle.pdf?hsLang=en) ## About Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) celebrates multilingualism and is proud of its multicultural community. When 93% of English Learners in grades 1-5 were not on track to proficiency, however, the district knew some changes were needed. In response, KCSD developed a multi-phased plan that included a strong focus on teaching explicit phonics, using Benchmark Phonics and Phonics Intervention. This District Partnership Success Story recounts how the Kennett Consolidated School District moved the needle, growing the percentage of English Learners on track to proficiency from 7 to 55%. [About Benchmark Education](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/about-us)  |  [Newsroom](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/newsroom)  |  [Contact Us](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/contact-us) |  [Find a Rep](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/find-a-rep)  |  [Request a Catalog](https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/request-a-catalog) © All rights reserved. Benchmark Education Company, LLC