research-backed

From regular student assessment to contracting for independent studies, Reading Partners systematically collects, analyzes, and uses data to generate knowledge, improve programs, and report on impacts.

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science of reading

The established and growing research we have about how students learn to read, including systemic phonics education.

Learn more about science of reading term

individualized

A facet of high-dosage tutoring in which a tutor offers one-on-one attention to their student, resulting in targeted support, and personalized literacy learning.

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high-dosage

The frequency of a learning experience. For example, Reading Partners students receive twice weekly tutoring for maximum growth.

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educational equity

Ensuring every student, no matter their race, gender, socioeconomic level, or location has access to the resources and support they need to succeed in school and in life.

Learn more about educational equity term
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25 years

Celebrating 25 years of impact at Reading Partners

student holding up a book and smiling

 

 

For 25 years and counting, Reading Partners has been mobilizing communities to provide proven, individualized reading support to put students on a path toward reading at grade level by fourth grade.

In 1999, when our three founders first began tutoring a handful of students in Menlo Park, California, they set in motion a decades-long mission to ensure every child has access to high-quality literacy education. From our name change to our first AmeriCorps grant to our shift to online tutoring during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Partners has stayed true to our core belief that reading is the foundation of all learning, and that all students deserve the opportunity to unlock their full potential through literacy.

Reading Partners is expanding our core and partnership programming nationwide, increasing efforts to drive progress in literacy across the country. On the partnerships side, we’re continuing to develop program licensing and training partnerships with other nonprofits and organizations that are able to implement a version of our program with students they already serve. We’ve barely scratched the surface on these program extension possibilities, and we’re excited about the opportunity to support student literacy both directly and indirectly in the years to come.

Join us on April 23 for One For The Books, where we’ll celebrate 25 years of impact and look ahead to a future of powering literacy through innovation.

one for the books

Celebrate with us

Join Reading Partners for a powerful celebration marking 25 years of commitment to increasing access to early literacy.

Since 1999, Reading Partners has delivered nearly 3 million individualized tutoring sessions to over 80,000 students, resulting in strong literacy outcomes and expanded educational opportunities nationwide. And with nearly 300,000 of those sessions taking place with students in the heart of New York City, what better place to celebrate our organizational journey?

Reading is a civil right, and with your support, we can build a future where every young student has the opportunity and resources to grow their reading skills and confidence.

25 years of support for students and communities

550

schools

Over 80,000

students served

80

school districts

View our 25-year impact report

100%

of teachers find Reading Partners to be valuable

Nearly 3,000,000

tutoring sessions delivered

Over 85,000

community volunteers

Stories from our history

a tutor-student pair; dyslexia

Brilliant Detroit announces new citywide summer literacy campaign to curb student learning loss

Brilliant Detroit Co-founder & CEO Cindy Eggleton and Reading Partners CEO Adeola Whitney talked about Brilliant Detroit’s new citywide summer literacy campaign at its community hubs.

Read story.

GreenLight Fund of Greater Newark

Nonprofit’s New Program Planned to Address Newark Kids’ Literacy Gaps

The nonprofit GreenLight Fund of Greater Newark, citing an urgent need to address literacy gaps among local students, announced $600,000 will fund a program to strengthen reading skills through tutoring.

Read story.

adeola whitney

It’s a Homecoming: Adeola Whitney returns to Reading Partners, this time as CEO

During her prior tenure at Reading Partners, Ola served as vice president of regional operations and then chief regional operations officer.

Read story.