Reading is the most crucial academic skill because it is the foundation for learning . . . . Without a strong foundation in reading, children are left behind at the beginning of their education.
~ The Children’s Reading Foundation
Reading is the most crucial academic skill because it is the foundation for learning . . . . Without a strong foundation in reading, children are left behind at the beginning of their education.
~ The Children’s Reading Foundation
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Why We Do This Work
Our Challenge: Equal is not Equitable
Families and children living in certain communities face unique challenges in their pursuit of well-being and prosperity. These challenges are complex and multi-faceted. Addressing them effectively requires strategic, concentrated, and sustained investment that is currently beyond the capacity of any one entity or system. We must work collaboratively across sectors – both inside and outside schools – to ensure that children (and their families) receive adequate and timely supports required for success -- supports, for example, to help children read at grade level early in their educational journeys. Our failure to do this today compromises the productivity of the workforce and quality of civil society tomorrow.
How We Do This Work
PREPARING FOR KINDER
Strengthening the capacity of caregivers of young children to provide them with enriching early learning and healthy development experiences (before children enter school).
· Reach Out and Read at 3 clinics
· 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
· School-Based Parent Workshops
· Childcare Providers Workshops
· Early Years Music in Pre-K
· PreK-TK-K Teacher Target Team
Reading by Third Grade
Supporting school leaders and teachers to ensure that children in PreK – 3rd grade have access to high-quality in-school early literacy instruction and strong social-emotional supports (during the school day).
· Principals’ Learning Community
· Teacher Professional Development
· Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
· Early Childhood Mental Health
Beyond the Classroom
Offering children extended learning opportunities that reinforce and expand upon strong in-school teaching and learning, and reduce learning loss during school breaks (after school).
· Books Before Breakfast Reading
· After-School Tutoring
· Summer Book Booths
· Summer Readers-Future Leaders
· Diamond Discovery Days
· Summer Oral History Program
· Summer Time is Reading Time