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

September 23, 2024

Originally posted on TAPinto Newark

NEWARK — 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.

Reading Partners will work with schools and community organizations in Newark to implement the evidence-based program within their communities and support student learning, GreenLight Fund said in its announcement. Newark is joining many communities nationwide that have mobilized tutors to improve early literacy skills, Adeola Whitney, CEO of Reading Partners, said.

“Reading Partners has activated tens of thousands of supporters across the nation who believe, like we do, that reading is a civil right,” Whitney said in the news release. “Newark is not alone in this challenge of inequity in our education system, and we look forward to partnering with the Newark community to recruit tutors to help improve literacy rates and close the opportunity gap.”

Over the next four years, the national nonprofit Reading Partners, which says its evidence-based curriculum is based on the science of reading, will help recruit paid and unpaid tutors who will deliver personalized literacy instruction, in-person and online, to an estimated 4,500 students and facilitate family literacy workshops for 3,700 families, GreenLight Fund said. The goal is over 80% of students engaged will reach their annual literacy goals.

GreenLight Fund Greater Newark Executive Director Tish Johnson-Jones said both the data and community conversations have shown improving literacy is a critical issue in Newark.

“By recruiting and training community members to provide one-on-one literacy tutoring, we will help strengthen reading skills and set our young people up for lifelong success,” Johnson-Jones said.

The 2023 New Jersey State Learning Assessments (NJSLA) exam found only 23% of students in Newark are reading at grade level. Third grade is a pivotal year for reading proficiency, and research shows that reading at grade level by third grade is essential for educational development and is indicative of later success in life.

According to the 2023 NJLSA exam, the percentage of Newark third-grade students reading on grade level remained stagnant at 19%, compared to the statewide average of 42%.

Mark Comesañas, executive director of My Brother’s Keeper Newark, an organization that creates opportunities to give back to boys and young men of color, said reading from an early age is key to ensuring skills for school, jobs and life.

“MBK Newark believes that all children should be reading at grade level by third grade because that is the time in which reading to learn – not just learning to read – becomes essential,” Comesañas said. “Bringing Reading Partners to Newark will help us collectively continue to advance the research that shows interventions in key moments during a young person’s life can have the greatest impact and be predictive of later success.”

GreenLight Fund said it will host a conversation with community members about early literacy later this month, offering engagement resources to families later this year, and will be sharing details about how community members can sign up to provide tutoring services next year.

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