The Ferguson-Florissant School District had a literacy problem—that much was clear to superintendent Joseph Davis last year. About 80 percent of his students had scored below “proficient” in English Language Arts on recent state-administered tests. He was dissatisfied. So were his teachers. But what could they do? Standardized test scores are influenced by family income levels, and this isn't a wealthy district: The entire student body is eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.
Then, in the fall, a six-part investigative podcast called Sold a dropped. While exercising, Davis would listen to it. And listen to it. And listen some more—to each episode several times.
