Rectanus cited Mississippi's rise from 49th to 18th nationally in reading scores as evidence that implementation fidelity, not curriculum adoption alone, is what moves student outcomes — characterizing the gains as built on three pillars: aligned curriculum, a caring adult, and a feedback loop. He introduced outcomes-based contracting — tying vendor agreements to measurable student progress rather than license purchases — as the model he is now applying at RGR, describing it as something that has never been done in literacy at scale. Rectanus cautioned that pending federal Read Act legislation will not move the needle unless states and districts actively execute on it, and challenged technology directors and curriculum leaders to stop asking for evidence-based content and start demanding evidence of outcomes. RGR's strategic pivot under Rectanus is framed not as a leadership transition but as a structural shift toward accountability for foundational literacy results.