In the final part of our series on the science of reading and balanced literacy, here’s Reading Partners’ approach to teaching literacy.

Thanks to our partnership with Brilliant Detroit, students are able to strengthen their literacy skills from halfway across the country. 

In the wake of the pandemic, we’re starting to see a pivot from balanced literacy to systematic phonics instruction. Here’s why.

In this first part of a three-part series, we explore what the science of reading is, how balanced literacy is different, and why educators and scientists can’t agree on one approach.

High-quality pre-K is a key ingredient in a child’s life, ensuring that they are ready for their kindergarten year and beyond.

Learn more about Reading Partners’ national benefit in NYC.

Teaching literacy doesn’t have to be a bore. There are so many ways to get students excited about reading, and one of those is playwriting.

Good Morning America reports on a study conducted by the NCES that showed test scores in math and reading hit new lows after the pandemic.

Nowadays, literacy reaches far beyond traditional reading comprehension. Here are the best ways to empower students in multi-tiered literacy.

We’re shifting our narratives to asset-based language to tell the truth about our students, who are capable, worthy, and full of potential.

Understanding emotions is such an important part of social-emotional growth. Here are some tips for how to navigate emotional learning with kids.

Literacy should be empowering Americans in every aspect of life. But, that simply isn’t the case. How do we fix this literacy crisis?

Addressing urgent literacy needs during COVID-19 and beyond
The challenges and changes presented by COVID-19 have impacted many aspects of our daily…

COVID-19 has exposed inequities across our country. We must address these gaps and work together to find long-lasting and sustainable solutions.

While many students are adjusting to new ways of learning in the wake of COVID-19, preexisting educational inequities are leaving millions of others behind.

Encourage girls to dream big and reach for the stars.

These recent #OwnVoices books by authors and illustrators of color offer a uniquely personal experience to the stories and illustrations they share.

Explore culturally diverse books for adults and kids to share and grow together.

Do you remember the picture books that first brought you joy? The ones that were read to you before you could read, or the ones that sparked your…

Building a larger vocabulary can be tricky work for young readers. It often takes consistent repetition and practice to learn new words and…

The United Nations named October 11 International Day of the Girl. A day dedicated to highlighting the many successes and challenges that girls…

Read with kids to build achievement and empathy.

Do you remember the first book that truly transported you into someone else’s life? What about the first book in which you really saw yourself?…

If you have a reluctant reader, introducing them to a new form of literature like graphic novels can spark an enthusiasm for reading from a new angle.

National Summer Learning Week was invented to increase awareness of the importance of a healthy, safe, and educational summer for all children. Here’s some tips on how to participate.

Conversations about the importance of diversity in children’s literature have been gaining traction over the past decade. The grassroots campaign,…

The premise of the Reading Partners program is simple: pair one student who struggles with reading with one volunteer tutor who delivers…

Reading at grade level by third grade is a key benchmark in a child’s educational trajectory. Research clearly demonstrates that children who cannot read by third grade face significant barriers to continued learning and access to higher education.

While it’s important to let summer actually be a vacation, it’s also important to keep kids engaged with reading and learning, too! The summer slide is a real threat to everything students accomplish during the year, and taking part in educational activities is a great way to combat that threat.

This International Women in Engineering Day, we’re highlighting books that tell the stories of female trailblazers in the engineering and STEM. All of the books listed are accessible for our students. These books pair the true stories of different women who led the way in various STEM fields with engaging illustrations, making the books a perfect place to get started discussing women in STEM.

In March 2014, I encountered a masterful article, Where Are The People of Color in Children’s Books, written by Walter Dean Myers, an American…

Moms play a big role in helping kids develop vital early literacy skills. This year, thank your mom for her role in helping you learn to read!

I sat down with Dan to get an inside view of his experience as a Reading Partners board member and learn more about what Reading Partners has in store for the years ahead.

The movement in response to the early literacy gap among American students presents itself as a promising reminder of the values we hold in common.

To celebrate International Children’s Book Day, we interviewed some of our supporters about their favorite children’s books and why reading matters.

The point of encouraging reading is not to create “stock” readers, but rather to cultivate a joy that comes alive when a child engages with a book.

In honor of Women’s History Month this March, we’ll highlight books that feature strong women persisting and being brave no matter the obstacle.

To celebrate Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ 114 birthday, here are a few of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes and the lessons they taught me.

Studies show that reading can help kids build developmental skills of emotional intelligence and empathy, enabling our young readers to better connect with other perspectives and human experiences.

The early literacy crisis has broad and lasting implications for our students and their communities. Join us and be a part of the solution.

One of the many benefits of being involved with Reading Partners, whether you are a volunteer, AmeriCorps member, or full-time employee, is working with wonderful students. I asked a few Reading Partners AmeriCorps members and staff to share some stories of students who inspire them, to remind us of the many ways in which our incredible students inspire us every day.

At the beginning of my second term, I met some of the most interesting and insightful people at Reading Partners AmeriCorps Orientation. Now several months later, I contacted some of the new site coordinators to hear about how they feel about their first few months of service with Reading Partners.

This Giving Tuesday—November 28—we’re kicking off a month-long campaign to raise support for early literacy. All donations will support our one-on-one tutoring program in under-resourced schools across the country.

Banned Books Week was founded in 1982 as a celebration of the freedom to read, responding to a rise in challenges made against books. Book banning might feel like a thing of the past, but celebrating your freedom to read is just as relevant now as ever.

In my vision of a perfect world, a community library would be found on every street corner. In this world, kids would not only have access to free books, but they could find them steps away from their own homes.

Literacy is a fundamental skill for lifelong learning. As a child, learning to read and write opens a  whole new world of opportunities: You gain a…

Lindsey Wenzel is a children’s book author and reading partner with Reading Partners Colorado. She shares her insights for writing children’s books.

Low literacy levels are often correlated with poor health outcomes and poverty. This crisis affects all of us, but we can take action to change this story.

Common misconceptions about learning to read can create unnecessary barriers for young students. Explore the facts about five common reading myths.

Looking for ways to nurture summer fun and summer learning? These four children’s books will inspire memorable summertime adventures.

Within the education community, certain buzzwords are used to describe and explain systematic variance in students’ growth and progress throughout…

What is ESSA, and what does it mean for literacy education? ESSA is a bipartisan bill designed to empower each state’s vision of student achievement.

Eight useful strategies to captivate young readers no matter their attitudes toward reading, from reading a series to making the library a special treat.

Parents and role models can encourage generosity and service in children by modeling compassion, participating in service activities, and teaching about humanity.

Children’s books can be a great way to introduce kids to the Civil Rights Movement. These five titles about equal rights include works of fiction and nonfiction.

A list of diverse children’s books exploring themes of race and cultural awareness that celebrate diversity and spark conversations about race with kids.

Reading Partners DC convenes thought leaders from DC Public Schools to discuss the impact of tutoring and the importance of the DCPS Empowering Males of Color initiative.

November is Native American Heritage Month, a great time to consider reading these indigenous authors with the kids in your life.

What happens when +30 of the nation’s premier data-driven programs come together to show what works? The greatest social innovation “science…

Positive parental involvement might mean limiting formal engagement with their children’s education and instead encouraging learning at home.

Banned Books Week is a celebration of the written word and of the value of curiosity, as well as a chance to learn from discomfort with the unfamiliar.

Most children’s books have the power to bring joy to its readers, but did you know that reading can actually have long-term positive effects, too?

Summer learning loss can be detrimental to a child’s reading skills. Here are 10 fun ways to incorporate learning into daily life and beat the summer slide.

In partnership with Sacramento Gang Prevention and Intervention Taskforce, Reading Partners Sacramento is working to reduce gang activity through literacy.

Akshaj Mehta, 10-year-old author of three published books, uses his talent and passion to give back to his local community and help kids learn to read.

At Moravia Park Elementary School, students are improving their reading skills through the adventures and characters of comic books.

Celebrate Earth Day with these great children’s book titles for grades K-7.

The California Golden State Reading Guarantee is a leading example of a forward-thinking approach to K-4 literacy and a model for other states to consider.

Literacy skills are vital to understanding STEM concepts and will lead to success across all disciplines.

For Children’s Book Day, walk down memory lane with these 20th century children’s books that are still loved by kids today.

Celebrate Read Across America Day with these four Dr. Seuss quotes that tell why reading matters.

Start conversations about race and diversity with your kids by reading these children’s books.

In collaboration with World Bank, Reading Partners Washington, DC provides students with books that emphasize diversity.

Reading Partners students, tutors, and AmeriCorps members share their favorite picture books to celebrate Picture Book Month.

Reading by fourth grade is crucial for future student success. Find out why.

Mandatory retention creates large challenges for schools and families and does not have substantial evidence supporting its implementation.

Early reading skills are a priority worth investing in.

It’s Banned Books Week, a time to celebrate the freedom to read! Here is a list of five children’s books you probably didn’t know were banned.

We want to know how candidates plan on tackling our biggest educational challenges. #kidsread2016

In order to see America’s schools improve and reach the level of its international competitors, youth literacy must be a priority in all schools.

Learn about transitional-kindergarten and what it can do for students.

Mobilizing volunteer tutors to improve student literacy.

Reading Partners student, Dillon, has the privilege of having two tutors for one! Dr. Ballard is the Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools and…

In Tulsa, Reading Partners teamed up with students in ten local high schools–hosting groups of high school aged volunteer tutors every Friday in…

Campaigning to boost high school graduation rates
In an effort to boost high school graduation rates, in 2010 President Obama teamed up with U.S.…

Editor’s Note: TulsaKids Education Columnist Karen Moult will be sharing her experience with Tulsa Reading Partners. Read below to find out more…

Editor’s Note: TulsaKids Education Columnist Karen Moult will be sharing her experience with Tulsa Reading Partners. Read below to find out more about…

Leading national literacy program successfully brings high quality program to highest-need schools
For Immediate Release Tulsa, OK – October 18,…

Politicians find the factoid a pithy way to emphasize the importance of early childhood reading. And journalists find it a convenient lede for stories…

This fall, Reading Partners will open its tenth region in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
We are thrilled to announce that this fall Reading Partners will expand…

National Literacy Nonprofit Joins Local Effort to Expand
Educational Opportunity in Oklahoma

Oakland, CA—July 11, 2013—National education…