How Hoboken Public Schools Is Growing Confident Readers With Raz‑Plus

For Sandra Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Hoboken Public Schools, the work of improving literacy outcomes is deeply personal.

A leadership journey rooted in literacy

Sandra was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, and it was there, inside Roberto Clemente School, that her future began to take shape. “As a Kindergarten student, I did not speak English, and I was so scared,” recalled Sandra. Starting school without the language was overwhelming, but everything changed because of one teacher.

“My teacher, Mrs. King, made me feel like her own and provided me with a peer mentor, Dr. Yolanda Mendez, to help me acquire the language. I can remember the phonics and early literacy lessons she made so accessible and engaging. I was speaking English in no time and reading such interesting words and books.”

That experience was transformative for Sandra. It wasn’t just about learning to read, but more importantly, about belonging, confidence, and possibility. “It really speaks to kismet and the impact of a great teacher. I wanted to be her.”

In a full-circle moment, Sandra’s peer mentor, Dr. Mendez, would go on to become the Principal of that very school, and Sandra would become the Director of Early Childhood.

Continuing the legacy in Hoboken Public Schools

What began as a moment of support in a Kindergarten classroom became the foundation for Sandra’s life’s work. Her journey into educational leadership has always been grounded in a deep belief that literacy is a civil right.

Sandra began her career as a second-grade teacher, where she saw firsthand how strong, evidence-based instruction could transform outcomes, especially for students who needed it most. Over time, she expanded her impact into leadership roles, working to influence systems, support educators, and ensure more students had access to high-quality instruction.

Today, as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Hoboken, she leads with a focus on equity, high expectations, and student success. She works to align curriculum, coach leaders, and build systems that improve outcomes across schools. At the core of her work is a simple but powerful belief: with the right support, every child can thrive.

“My favorite part of the job is being in classrooms, seeing high-quality instruction in action, engaging with students, and supporting educators as they refine their practice. That connection to teaching and learning is what keeps the work meaningful and urgent,” said Sandra. “The most important work I do happens in the classroom, standing beside teachers, listening to students, and ensuring that what we say we value is actually what is happening in practice. It is what all children deserve!”

A district focused on equity and growth

“Hoboken Public Schools is a vibrant, high-performing, and forward-thinking district. We serve a diverse student population across PK-12, and our educators are deeply committed to continuous growth and excellence,” said Sandra. “We are both deeply student-centered and relentlessly focused on instructional excellence. There is a strong culture of collaboration, data-driven instruction, and innovation. Whether it’s our dual language program, our structured literacy approach, or our STEM initiatives, we are constantly working to ensure that every student has access to meaningful, rigorous, and inclusive learning experiences.”

Building a strong literacy foundation

In recent years, the district has undergone a major shift in literacy instruction. After reviewing data and classroom practices, leaders made a bold move to strengthen foundational literacy. “It was from this deep dive that we adopted a strong, structured literacy program, layered it with Orton-Gillingham, and educated our teachers on the Science of Reading. This approach has allowed us to enjoy increased student gains year over year.”

“In Hoboken, we believe literacy is a civil right, and our responsibility is to ensure every child has both the instruction and the access they need to become confident, independent readers. Literacy is the key!”

–Sandra Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Why Hoboken chose Raz‑Plus

About five years ago, the district added Raz-Plus^® to strengthen Tier 1 literacy instruction and provide more differentiated, accessible texts for students. The goal wasn’t to replace teachers’ instruction, but to enhance it with the all-in-one K-5 supplemental literacy solution.

“Raz-Plus aligns well with our structured literacy framework by reinforcing key components such as vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency,” said Sandra. While core instruction remains focused on explicit, systematic teaching of foundational skills, Raz‑Plus extends that learning to give students meaningful opportunities to apply those skills through appropriate text-based practice.

Supporting Tier 1 instruction with the right tools

“We recognized the need for a flexible tool that could meet students exactly where they are … especially in terms of independent reading practice, fluency development, and targeted skill reinforcement,” said Sandra.

“Raz-Plus enhances our core curriculum by providing a wide range of texts that align with student needs and interests. It supports our belief that students need both strong foundational instruction and ample opportunities to practice with appropriate texts.”

Raz‑Plus fits naturally alongside the district’s structured literacy approach by giving students opportunities to apply foundational skills through meaningful reading experiences. “We always seek to analyze the impact of tech tools, and our teachers love Raz-Plus. They always vote to keep it as part of their teacher toolbox. We use Raz-Plus not to replace instruction but to extend it and celebrate individual student gains.”

How teachers use Raz‑Plus in the classroom

Teachers across Hoboken Public Schools incorporate Raz‑Plus into their daily instruction in a variety of ways, using it as a flexible tool.

Flexibility across instructional settings

Across the district, teachers use Raz‑Plus in multiple settings, including:

• Small group instruction
• Targeted interventions
• Literacy centers
• Independent reading time
• At-home practice

“It allows teachers to differentiate more effectively, offer additional practice, and extend learning beyond whole-group instruction. Feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive; they appreciate the ease of differentiation and the breadth of resources available. Students enjoy the variety of texts and the ability to access materials that feel ‘just right’ for them.”

The flexibility of Raz-Plus is especially valuable for meeting students where they are. “The recent alignment to our structured literacy program is a real game-changer and will help us to continue to meet the needs of all of our learners,” said Sandra.

“Raz-Plus gives teachers what they need most: time, flexibility, and access to the right text at the right time in the literacy life of a young person.

–Sandra Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Helping educators respond in real time

Sandra found that one of the biggest strengths of Raz-Plus is its support for instructional decisions. “Raz‑Plus has been especially helpful in allowing both new and veteran teachers to respond more precisely to student needs.”

Teachers can quickly adjust instruction, scaffold learning, and keep students progressing. “Raz-Plus has allowed our teachers to be more responsive in real time, which is when powerful instruction can take off!”

Driving student growth in literacy with Raz-Plus

Hoboken has seen clear improvements in key literacy areas since implementing Raz‑Plus. “We’ve seen notable growth in fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension. Students are becoming more confident readers, and they are better able to engage with texts independently and meaningfully,” said Sandra.

“With the recent legislation regarding high-quality screeners released by the New Jersey Department of Education, we are confident that our foundational literacy will continue to grow at an impactful rate by continuing to utilize Foundations A-Z^® [now included in Raz-Plus]. Exciting times ahead!”

Evidence of impact on assessments

Students in Hoboken Public Schools are showing stronger comprehension, improved fluency, and greater ability to discuss and analyze texts. “We’ve seen growth reflected in both formal assessments, such as DRA3 and our benchmark tools, as well as in classroom observations,” said Sandra.

Developing more confident readers

“Teachers are also reporting that students are more willing to read independently and take ownership of their learning. Oftentimes, tackling a reader’s confidence is half the battle!” As a result, students are reading more frequently, taking risks with new texts, and building confidence that supports continued growth.

Supporting early readers and literacy intervention

Sandra has observed that Raz‑Plus has been especially beneficial for younger students and those needing additional support. “Raz-Plus provides access to high-interest texts. This allows students to build confidence while practicing essential skills. It also supports repeated reading and exposure, which are critical for developing fluency and comprehension.”

Why district leaders recommend Raz‑Plus

For Hoboken’s leadership team, Raz‑Plus stands out as a practical, high-impact tool that works in real classrooms. “What sets Raz-Plus apart is its flexibility and accessibility. Compared to other tools, it offers a more comprehensive library of texts and supports differentiation in a way that is manageable for teachers. It works in real classrooms, with real teachers, and in real time,” said Sandra.

“I would encourage leaders, especially those who are trying to be literacy leaders, to view Raz-Plus as a strategic supplement to strong core instruction. When used intentionally, it can significantly enhance differentiation, increase student engagement, and support targeted skill development, especially in a district committed to evidence-based literacy practices. If the goal is to strengthen your literacy outcomes, you need both strong instruction and strong access … Raz-Plus does both.”

Sandra also found the implementation and support to be powerful to bring Raz-Plus to students district-wide. “Learning A-Z has been a responsive and supportive partner. Their resources are thoughtfully designed, and their platform is user-friendly for both teachers and students. Their support has helped ensure successful implementation and sustainability across our district.”

The bigger impact on teaching and learning

At its core, Sandra’s work and the district’s success come from aligning strong instruction with the right tools and support. By empowering teachers and giving students access to meaningful reading experiences, Hoboken Public Schools is building a culture where literacy and opportunity can thrive.

“Mrs. King inspired me at five years old to be the educator and human being I am today.” Today, through Sandra’s leadership and commitment to literacy, she creates those same moments for students across her district, ensuring that, without a doubt, she is making Mrs. King proud.

Experience Raz-Plus

Raz-Plus empowers students to become confident, independent readers by providing consistent access to meaningful, appropriate texts that reinforce and extend core literacy instruction.

Try Raz‑Plus and see how differentiated reading practice can support your students, or contact us to learn more about bringing Raz‑Plus to your school or district.