Discover how a Florida elementary school improved struggling readers’ literacy and test scores with help from the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution.
About Mort Elementary School
Mort Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Tampa, Florida, is part of the Hillsborough County School District, comprising the district’s most vulnerable and chronically challenged schools. The school serves around 750 students from pre-K through fifth grade, 100% of whom classify as Economically Disadvantaged under the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Rate under the National School Lunch program. Only 29% of students were achieving proficiency in reading and language arts—compared to the state average of 56%. In fact, Mort Elementary student performance fell into the lowest 5% in the district, with most not reading at grade level. Through the diligent work of the school staff and the implementation of evidence-based interventions along with reading supports like Learning Ally the school showed an English Language Arts (ELA) achievement increase in the 24-25 school year of 6 points from 29% to 35% over the prior year.
The Toughest Literacy Challenge for Mort Elementary
Determined to turn previous performance around, educators and administrators at the school identified their biggest challenge with literacy as getting students to become proficient readers. ESE Specialist Amy DiSalvo, along with fellow educators Shannon Sturgeon and Jennifer Chamoun, decided to implement the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution® with their 100 ESE and ELL students to help them meet their IEP reading goals.
What initially caught their attention about the Audiobook Solution was the large library it offers. Jennifer was impressed by the number of trade books included, which aren’t normally available to students. Then she pointed out another benefit: “Books that teachers would read within the classroom were available to the kids to go back to and read…again to have a better understanding and read at their own pace. They can go back, rewind, and see the words highlighted as they are read.”
Using the Audiobook Solution, Amy, Shannon, and Jennifer were able to support all their students who struggled with reading, including the 70% who also speak Spanish and the 68% who in the 2023–2024 school year scored below grade level on the English Language Arts state assessment.
Shannon Sturgeon, VE educator (left) with Kelly Snellgrove, Principal of Mort Elementary
How the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution Supports Literacy Gains
Shannon Sturgeon told us that many students, “especially the reluctant readers, find reading boring or difficult.” Teachers were able to make books exciting for them using Learning Ally audiobooks, which offer engaging narration and storytelling. With the structured support built into the Audiobook Solution, students had access to a diverse library of engaging and rigorous texts that extended beyond their reading level.
“Learning Ally removed reading barriers for our students,” Shannon shared, “it wasn’t just another resource—it was an equalizer. Seeing students who used to avoid reading suddenly excited to finish books made all the difference.”
For example, Shannon pointed out that while some students can read words without much trouble, they struggle to grasp the meaning of those words. Fluent narration in the audiobooks models proper pronunciation, tone, and pacing—helping students strengthen their comprehension skills. As students learned explicit strategies using the Audiobook Solution, they improved their reading abilities and confidence. One student, Vanessa, shares “When the book reads to me then I can understand it more.”
Great Reading Games Success
Each year, Learning Ally holds the Great Reading Games, which is a fun reading engagement program that sparks student learning through listening to audiobooks. Schools earn points in one of 12 brackets based on grade level and school size, with prizes and national recognition for schools, teachers, and students on the line.
When the Mort Elementary students using the Audiobook Solution learned about the Great Reading Games, they were extra motivated to make reading progress. “The kids begged us daily to see where we were in the competition and how many points we had,” said Shannon. Reading became students’ special time and an activity they wanted to continue outside of school, including during breaks and holidays.
During the 2020–2021 school year, Mort Elementary’s ESE and ELL students read 162,051 pages with the Audiobook Solution. This was nearly eight times as many as the next closest school’s total of 20,287 pages, earning fifth place nationally!
During the 2023-2024 school year, spurred by the incredible enthusiasm of teachers and students alike, Mort Elementary School’s ESE and ELL students read 256,360 pages with the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution in the Great Reading Games and won 1st place in their bracket. Principal Snellgrove said that their students’ love of reading with the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution helps the entire school.
Across the nation in 2025, more than 200,000 students read over 35 million pages during the first Great Reading Games competition. Mort Elementary was again one of the participating schools, and this time their students did so well that they not only won their bracket, they had the highest score across the nation! Mort Elementary School students ended the year reading more than 550,000 pages!
Noteworthy Student Progress
Mort Elementary’s principal, Kelly Snellgrove, shared the impact of Learning Ally and the Audiobook Solution on student literacy: “Learning Ally has helped our students in many ways, but the main reason is it’s helping them to feel successful with reading.”
Shannon spoke of a huge change in students’ attitude: “Their confidence has improved, and now they actually love to read.” She pointed out that many of her students have dyslexia or another type of reading deficit, and she attributes a significant portion of their literacy development to using Learning Ally resources and audiobooks.
Besides boosting self-confidence for ESE and ELL students because they’re able to read the same books as their peers, the Audiobook Solution offers accessibility and representation. For example, fifth-grader Miguel did not have home access to WiFi, but he would download books at school and read offline while at home. He read more than 18,000 pages for the Great Reading Games in 61 days, winning a $100 gift card as the top reader at Mort Elementary.
Another student was self-conscious about her need for hearing aids, so she had stopped wearing them during school. However, her reading group found a Learning Ally audiobook called El Deafo that was about a little girl who used hearing aids. After reading the book, the student began wearing her hearing aids in class again and even got new ones in a different color.
Measuring Success
Mort Elementary has seen meaningful improvements in student test scores and vocabulary knowledge. According to state reports, the number of students testing below a 3 in their ELA state assessment has dropped from 71% in 2022–23 to 68.2% at the end of the 2023–24 school year. Kelly noted that while school ratings are not what’s most important, Mort Elementary did move from a D to a C grade and is maintaining that grade despite a population that needs extraordinary support from the school. ESE students showed the greatest gains, and Kelly believes that their love of reading helped the whole school.
“Learning Ally is an amazing resource! It can level the playing field for all students who are struggling to read.” – Shannon Sturgeon, VE Teacher
Read the full case study to learn more about Mort Elementary’s success.
Will the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution be as big of a hit at your school? We’d love to show you how it could support your students. Request a demo today!