California Districts Rapidly Adopt GROW CA to Accelerate Student Learning

Pomona Unified School District launches Paper’s GROW CA high-impact tutoring as momentum builds for outcome-focused instruction across California 

SANTA MONICA, California, September 30, 2025 – California school districts are taking decisive steps to close English Language Arts (ELA) and math proficiency gaps by launching GROW CA, Paper’s high-impact tutoring program. Districts are turning to GROW CA to deliver small-group, research-backed instruction that accelerates learning, boosts CAASPP readiness, and provides equitable support for students most impacted by learning loss.

The urgency for effective tutoring interventions is growing as high-impact tutoring becomes nationally recognized as a powerful solution for student recovery. This broader recognition underscores the importance of proven, scalable solutions like GROW CA to help districts meet this need across California. 

Districts See Measurable Gains with GROW CA

Across California, districts are implementing GROW CA and seeing meaningful gains:

• Visalia Unified School District, now launching its third GROW CA program, saw a 167% increase in 5th grade Math i-Ready grade-level proficiency, while 78% of participating students reported feeling confident in solving problems independently.
• Pasadena Unified School District launched its GROW CA summer program for 300 students impacted by the Eaton wildfires, achieving a 40% lift in performance from pre- to final assessments across grades 3-8.
• Pomona Unified, Bellflower Unified, Westminster Elementary, Twin Rivers Unified, and the Lake County Office of Education are also partnering with Paper to bring GROW CA to their students this year. 

Pomona Unified Launches Customized GROW CA Program

This fall, Pomona Unified School District is integrating 14 weeks of GROW CA high-impact tutoring directly into the school day through intervention blocks. To meet the needs of all learners, Pomona worked closely with Paper to design a customized model that includes bilingual tutors, culturally responsive instruction, and personalized academic support.

"Our district is launching the GROW program in partnership with Paper tutoring as part of our commitment to providing equitable, high-impact academic support for all students," said Cynthia Sanchez, Ed.D., Director of Educational Technology at Pomona Unified School District. "What particularly impressed us was the compelling data shared regarding Paper's effectiveness in closing achievement gaps and accelerating learning. This evidence-based approach aligns perfectly with our district's focus on measurable outcomes and personalized learning."

A Research-Backed Solution for California Schools

Built on evidence-backed instructional design and aligned to California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and CAASPP performance benchmarks, GROW CA high-impact tutoring delivers personalized, small-group tutoring sessions. Each student works consistently with the same expert tutor, typically in a 1:3 tutor-student ratio, fostering continuity, trust, and measurable growth. Sessions are delivered live through two-way video during designated instructional blocks, with students receiving multiple tutoring sessions per week totaling 90 minutes.

With California prioritizing proficiency and districts leveraging Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funds and Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grants, GROW CA offers a scalable path to CAASPP success. Recognized by Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator with the Program Design badge, GROW CA delivers an average 201% increase in grade-level proficiency and real-time progress reporting, ensuring students most impacted by learning loss receive consistent, high-quality support.

To learn more about GROW CA by Paper, visit paper.co/grow-ca.

See how districts nationwide are implementing GROW and the strategies driving successful academic outcomes in our blog: Behind the Outcomes: What We Learned From Districts Doing High-Impact Tutoring Right.