Reading Partners became a part of the Los Angeles educational landscape in 2008, when we placed our first volunteer reading partners in three under-resourced elementary schools to help students raise their reading skills. Our one-on-one tutoring empowers students to succeed in reading and in life. Our community volunteers empower students to succeed in reading by providing individualized, personal attention for each student in our program.

Despite the internationally renowned glitz and glamour surrounding Los Angeles, 25 percent of children live in poverty. For these children, the reality is far from glamorous. In Los Angeles elementary schools, only 15 percent of fourth graders from low income families can read at grade level proficiently, putting them at significantly higher risk of dropping out of high school and continuing the cycle of poverty.

Reading Partners believes that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed. By partnering with community members and leaders, organizations, corporations, and local school districts in the Los Angeles area, we’re working toward a future where all children have the individualized support they need to become lifelong readers and learners.

Facing a school year of uncertainty due to COVID-19 in 2020-21, Reading Partners collaborated with teachers and school leaders to meet students’ learning needs, including creating an innovative online tutoring program that can be used to support students when in-person tutoring is not an option. Reading Partners will also continue to invest in family engagement programs and race equity, diversity, and inclusion training for volunteers, staff, and AmeriCorps members to ensure that we are thoroughly supporting students and communities as we emerge from the pandemic and well into the future.

Explore Reading Partners’ impact in the Los Angeles Area:

• 2020-21 impact & innovation report: Full year impacted by COVID-19
• 2019-20 impact & innovation report: Tutoring shortened by COVID-19
• 2018-19 impact report: Last full year of student progress results

By The Numbers

  90% of K-2 Reading Partners students met or exceeded their primary literacy growth goal (2020-21).

13 Partner schools (2020-21)  

12,897 Total tutoring sessions (2020-21)

3,714 Hours tutors spent in training (2020-21)