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.

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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.

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denise watts

Denise Watts

Denise Watts currently serves as the Learning Community Superintendent for Project L.I.F.T. (Leadership and Investment for Transformation), a philanthropic initiative composed of leaders from Charlotte’s largest community and family foundations aiming to accelerate student achievement in nine West Charlotte schools. Serving as a semi-autonomous learning community within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), the initiative focuses on talent, time, technology, community/parent engagement, and policy change. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is an urban school district with 146,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in 168​​ schools. Project L.I.F.T. was created to support the district’s most challenging schools.

Under the leadership of Dr. Watts, Project L.I.F.T. schools were among the first in the nation to implement Opportunity Culture, a model that leverages district support systems to redesign career pathways and compensation to extend the reach of excellent teachers to more students within budget. Over the last two years, Opportunity Culture has had a positive impact on student achievement and the recruitment, retention, and development of teachers in Project L.I.F.T. schools. It has also been replicated as a CMS district-wide strategy in 26 additional schools.

In her 15-year career trajectory, Dr. Watts has been recognized for her leadership as North Carolina’s Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2008. She was also tapped for Strategic Staffing, CMS’s nationally recognized turnaround initiative that placed top leaders and teachers in its most challenged schools. Before being chosen to lead Project L.I.F.T. she served as the community superintendent of 20 Title I schools. In 2012, she was selected to take Project L.I.F.T. from concept to implementation.