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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sharon carr harrington

Sharon Carr Harrington

A certified fundraising executive (CFRE) and attorney with more than 20 years of fundraising and nonprofit experience, Sharon has held roles with Davidson College, Foundation For The Carolinas, and as director of development for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UNC Charlotte. At UNC Charlotte, she served as the chief development officer for its largest academic unit, seeking philanthropic support through annual, major, and planned gifts.

Most recently, Sharon served as assistant vice president for institutional advancement at Johnson C. Smith University and a member of the department’s senior leadership team. In that role, she worked collaboratively with the university Board of Trustees, executive leadership team, the college deans, senior administrators, and faculty to support programs and priorities within the university. Sharon directed the University’s comprehensive campaign (Tomorrow is what WE make it), a $150 million campaign to support the Annual Fund, capital projects, and endowments for scholarships and programs.

Prior to her development career, Sharon worked as an attorney with a national public interest law firm and several government agencies in New Orleans and Charlotte, specializing in environmental regulatory issues, policies and programs. From 1994 to 1999, she served as director of the New Orleans Department of Sanitation and member of the Mayor’s cabinet.

Committed to philanthropy and community service, Sharon has been involved with a variety of non-profit organizations including the boards of directors of Planned Parenthood Health Systems, the Charlotte Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Lillian’s List of North Carolina, the Women’s Impact Fund, Duke University School of Law’s Alumni Association, the Children’s Law Center, and the Executive Service Corps of the Charlotte Region. Sharon is a member of Women Executives of Charlotte.

Sharon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and psychology at the University of Delaware and a JD from the Duke School of Law. She is married to Rob Harrington and they have a son – Jourdan Harrington.