Welcome to Walton Elementary, a central Texas school that sits in the shadow of an interstate highway. Don't be fooled by the school's setting. The students that stream in from the surrounding housing projects find light just beyond Walton's doors.

For eight years, Walton has focused on reading, and the results have been astounding. What's the secret? A tightly structured program that focuses on letters and sounds. But even strong schools must fight for kids like Tavares Gross, a struggling first grader. Meet Tavares and the dedicated teachers striving to teach him to read.