Connecticut’s Bridgeport Public Schools Expands Multiyear Partnership with Discovery Education Aimed at Improving Math and Reading Achievement Districtwide

CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, February 5, 2024)—Connecticut’s Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) today announced an expansion of their multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, the worldwide edtech leader. In this new phase of collaboration, all educators and students in grades 7-12 across BPS will continue to have access to the innovative DreamBox Reading Plus by Discovery Education, a personalized reading intervention solution that assesses students’ current reading ability, offers individualized instruction, and closes the reading achievement gap for all students. In addition, in February of this year, all K-12 BPS students will receive access to DreamBox Math by Discovery Education, an adaptive math program that accelerates learning by fostering understanding, confidence, and motivation. 

As Connecticut’s second largest public school system, BPS serves nearly 20,000 students in 39 sites across Bridgeport. Each day, BPS’s approximately 1,400 educators seek to model excellence and equity in education for every child at every level by focusing on quality instruction and providing efficient systems and structures in schools that sustain a culture committed to success. In 2021, the district sought a digital resource that would create high-quality instructional experiences improving student achievement in reading. Following an exhaustive review process, the district selected DreamBox Reading Plus. 

DreamBox Reading Plus is independently proven to accelerate student learning achievement. It focuses on vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency development, and includes a reliable assessment that can be used as a screener, placement test, and measure of growth. As an intervention and instruction program, DreamBox Reading Plus adapts automatically to each student’s changing needs, ensuring individualized learning paths leading toward reading proficiency. The program includes an extensive library of engaging texts, rigorous comprehension tasks, evidence-based writing in a built-in portal, a patented Guided Window for fluency development, a variety of scaffolds, and numerous materials for teacher-led instruction. DreamBox Reading Plus is the only reading solution that addresses silent reading fluency and measures motivation, helping students become proficient, lifelong readers. The renewal of this partnership ensures that the students and teachers of BPS enjoy access to DreamBox Reading Plus through 2027. 

The district’s successful implementation of DreamBox Reading Plus is supported by BPS’s recent selection of DreamBox Math to enhance math instruction.  

DreamBox Math by Discovery Education integrates into curriculum and supports students’ conceptual understanding of math as they grow confidence in the subject. An adaptive supplemental math program, DreamBox Math, fosters the conceptual understanding, self-assurance, and motivation students need to develop a deep understanding of complex mathematical ideas. DreamBox Math is a web-based program for students that adapts and differentiates in real-time based on students’ answers and problem-solving methods. By providing personalized instruction, DreamBox Math empowers students to become self-assured, lifelong learners, while equipping educators with actionable learning insights. DreamBox Math will be integrated into learning districtwide. 

“Bridgeport Public Schools is excited to expand this powerful partnership,” said Dr. Royce Avery, Interim Deputy Superintendent. “Each day our dedicated team of teachers work hard to create the modern learning environments we know will support the development of college and career ready individuals. These new resources from Discovery Education, as well as the products we are already using in district classrooms, will help us meet this goal.” 

DreamBox Learning Math and DreamBox Reading Plus complement the use of Discovery Education Experience, the company’s award-winning K-12 learning platform, which is currently accessed by students and teachers across BPS. In addition, BPS recently launched a new initiative focusing on science education that has seen Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks introduced into learning activities in grades K-12 and the company’s Mystery Science program deployed in all district elementary schools. 

BPS educators using Discovery Education solutions will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education’s team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help schools recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through Discovery Education’s interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional learning increases student engagement and supports the continued academic development of all students.  

Also, all BPS educators now have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.   

“Bridgeport Public Schools have charted a course for thoughtfully integrating digital resources into classroom instruction to support student achievement and college and career readiness,” said Davis Hartley, Discovery Education Account Manager. “We are excited to support Superintendent Avery, Director of Mathematics Herminio Planas, and the entire team of talented educators at Bridgeport Public Schools as they seek to build engaging learning environments that nurture student curiosity and drive increased achievement.”