Following Up: Progress Learning in Action at Holley Navarre Middle
Back in May 2024, we highlighted how Holley Navarre Middle School in Florida was seeing transformative growth with Progress Learning (Read the original article here). At the time, former Assistant Principal Peter Della Ratta praised Progress Learning as “the best thing in all my 20 years of being in Santa Rosa County Schools.” He and other educators shared how it saved teachers time, helped students close learning gaps, and provided powerful tools for standardized test preparation.
Now, we’re checking back in to see how Progress Learning has become even more integrated into the classroom! One standout example? 7th grade ELA teacher Alma Fowler—a dedicated educator, small business owner, and student advocate—who is using Progress Learning to create a more structured, engaging, and student-driven learning experience.
Building Student Ownership in Learning
Mrs. Fowler continues to implement structured daily routines that help students take ownership of their learning. Each day, a student reads aloud the lesson’s objectives and standard, setting the tone for class and reinforcing key learning goals. This student-led approach fosters accountability and ensures that every learner understands what they should master before leaving the classroom.
To further track and celebrate progress, Mrs. Fowler utilizes the Green Dot Challenge, a Progress Learning feature that encourages students to work toward mastering standards. Her visual tracking system (pictured below) keeps students motivated, providing clear, tangible evidence of their growth.
📸 Student Progress Tracking Board:
Engaging Learning Stations with Progress Learning
Mrs. Fowler has also expanded her use of interactive learning stations to ensure students stay engaged while mastering complex ELA concepts. One of the most impactful stations? The Progress Learning Station, where students:
- Log in to Progress Learning
- Watch video lessons on key ELA standards
- Answer questions to check understanding
- Track progress and earn four green dots per standard
📸 Progress Learning Station Instructions:
Another station focuses on literary allusions, guiding students through an analysis of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and how allusions shape character development.
📸 Allusion Station Instructions:
Why Progress Learning is a Game-Changer
In our original feature, Mrs. Fowler shared that Progress Learning helped prepare her students for the ELA FAST, improve test-taking strategies, and close learning gaps efficiently. Now, it’s clear that Progress Learning has become even more embedded in the classroom, allowing her to:
- Create individualized remediation plans based on student data
- Save time by using pre-built and custom assessments
- Empower students to take charge of their own learning journeys
Former Assistant Principal Peter Della Ratta summed it up best:
“The way Progress Learning individualizes standard remediation helps each student become more proficient in their gap of knowledge faster than they could do it on their own.”
Holley Navarre Middle has truly made Progress Learning a cornerstone of their instruction—helping students, teachers, and parents work together for academic success.
Thank you, Mrs. Fowler, for your dedication and commitment to student growth! 🎉
