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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Reading is a civil right

Reading is a civil right, and we promote equity by helping students develop lifelong literacy skills and confidence to actualize their limitless potential.
History of educational inequity in the US
Inequities in American education have persisted for centuries.
1830s
1830s

By this time, most southern states had laws forbidding teaching people in slavery to read. Even so, around five percent become literate at great personal risk.

1864
1864

Congress makes it illegal for Native American children to be taught in their native languages. Children as young as four years old were forced into off-reservation boarding schools.

1865-77
1865-77

African American leaders mobilize to bring public education to the South for the first time.

1896
1896

Plessy v. Ferguson “separate but equal” decision by the US Supreme Court officially recognizes segregation as legal. Southern states pass laws requiring racial segregation in public schools.

1934
1934

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is created. The FHA insured home mortgages for houses within White, suburban boundaries. This solidifies the practice of redlining, which systematically withholds credit from homebuyers in Black neighborhoods and promotes a new form of school segregation.

1954
1954

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka: The Supreme Court unanimously agrees that segregated schools are “inherently unequal” and must be abolished. Almost 45 years later in 1998, schools are as segregated as ever, especially in the north.

1964
1964

The Civil Rights Act is passed. Title IV addresses school desegregation and Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs.

1973
1973

San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez: The Supreme Court rules that education is not a “fundamental right” and that states don’t have to provide equal distribution of education expenditures.

2007
2007

The Supreme Court rules that voluntary school integration plans on the basis of race are unconstitutional.

2024
2024

Modern segregation has been built over the course of centuries. It is not a new phenomenon, but the continuation of an old one. It is the maturation of inadequate desegregation policies and the direct descendant of redlining which has kept American metropolitan areas starkly divided by race.

student-tutor pair during a literacy lesson

Our commitment

We believe in the power of educational equity to interrupt systemic racism, poverty, and social inequality.

Racism and anti-Blackness have penetrated every system and institution, including our education system where students of color have not received equitable learning opportunities. Our organization exists to uproot these deeply ingrained educational obstacles.

92%

of principals report improved school-wide reading progress (2023-24)

Adeola Whitney: CEO and volunteer tutor
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6,655

students participated in 12+ tutoring sessions (2023-24)

Blogs on equity
Black History Month is every month booklist
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90%

of Reading Partners students identify as students of color (2023-24)