Results at a glance
Kanawha County saw significant gains in student proficiency after implementing ULS across K-12 special education settings:
- 3rd Grade ELA: 105% growth (22% → 45%)
- 3rd Grade Math: 247% growth (15% → 52%)
- 8th Grade ELA: 15% growth (26% → 30%)
- 8th Grade Math: 650% growth (4% → 30%)
Kanawha County Schools contains 67 schools and 23,864 students. The district’s minority enrollment is 20%.
We saw growth in our district’s scores when other districts saw drops. It came down to using checkpoints, tracking the data, and training teachers on how to respond to it.
A district ready for change
In the heart of West Virginia, Kanawha County Schools set out to transform outcomes for students with disabilities by standardizing instruction and giving teachers the right tools to teach with confidence. However, teachers were often left to piece together resources on their own. “I was benchmarking students excessively, just trying to figure out what worked,” said Rachel Brown, a veteran special education teacher turned academic coach. “We didn’t have a consistent system to guide instruction - it was all trial and error.”
What they needed wasn’t just a curriculum - it was a system built to deliver engaging, evidence-based, differentiated instruction. That’s exactly what they found in Unique Learning System (ULS).
Engaging instruction that meets diverse needs
Rachel led the charge to implement ULS with fidelity across the district. “ULS gave us a base,” she said. “Even brand-new teachers could get started. They didn’t have to reinvent the wheel every day.”
Rachel even created newsletters to highlight powerful features like the Planner’s student view. “That helped teachers feel less alone,” she shared. “They saw tools that made their day smoother.”
With high-quality, standards-aligned content and instructional materials designed for accessibility, ULS equipped teachers to reach learners at all levels. Built-in focus walls, adaptive books, and ready-to-use assessments made it easier to teach consistently and confidently.
Data that drives better outcomes
What set ULS apart wasn’t just strong content—it was the data. Built-in checkpoints and benchmarks gave teachers real-time insight into student understanding. “The non-verbal options -like symbol-supported answer choices and visual response formats -showed us that students understood more than we thought,” Rachel noted. “That insight changed everything.”
The district used this data to adapt instruction, drive IEP decisions, and monitor growth. And the results were compelling:
- 3rd Grade ELA: 105% growth (22% → 45%)
- 3rd Grade Math: 247% growth (15% → 52%)
- 8th Grade ELA: 15% growth (26% → 30%)
- 8th Grade Math: 650% growth (4% → 30%)
**Assessment: Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System used for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Building systemwide buy-in
To truly transform outcomes, Rachel knew she needed support from all sides. She used ULS’s alignment documentation to demonstrate to her leadership how the curriculum met state standards and supported IEP goals.
“It helped us prove that what we were doing was rigorous, not just compliant,” she said. That clarity helped secure administrative buy-in and dedicate time for professional learning.
View the ELA results below
Why ULS made the difference
Rachel put it simply: “ULS feels like the only program with enough scope to truly meet the needs of all my learners. It’s just broader than anything else.”
And the proof? She’s bringing it to her next district. “It makes my life easier,” she added. “I’m taking it with me to my new job, it’s that foundational.”
View the Math results below
What other districts can learn
Kanawha County’s success didn’t come from quick fixes. It came from consistency, professional learning, and a curriculum that delivered differentiated instruction, meaningful data, and better outcomes.
For any district leader looking to boost achievement for students with disabilities, Kanawha’s story sends a clear message: when educators are empowered with the right tools, students succeed.
ULS isn’t just a curriculum. It’s a commitment to every learner.
