A Message from our Executive Director |
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| As the nation tries to figure out how to significantly boost our dismal literacy scores, the term “High Dosage Tutoring” is being used more and more by those in the field because multiple studies show that it is effective. Conditions for high-dosage tutoring are |
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- Tutoring should take place during the school day or immediately before or after the school day
- Tutoring should occur a minimum of three times a week
- Students should meet with a consistent paid and trained tutor who is supported by ongoing oversight and coaching
- Tutoring sessions should be informed by data
- Tutoring materials should be aligned with research and state standards
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This Hechinger report describes it perfectly: “Think of it as the difference between outpatient visits and intensive care at a hospital. So called “high-dosage tutoring” is more like the latter. It’s expensive to hire and train tutors and this type of tutoring can cost schools $4,000 or more per student annually.” We at Reading Allowed are extremely proud that our instruction fulfills the conditions for the most effective high dosage tutoring and our data supports it. We are constantly working to improve our product and to serve more students. Funders often tell us not to be shy about reporting the costs we incur for supporting a student but it’s hard not to be because the costs are high. However, we know what it takes to make our students successful and we know that making this investment now will be paid back many times over in the long run. Every struggling reader deserves the highest quality instruction and that’s what we will continue to provide. |
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| Hope you’re enjoying the summer season! |
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Summer Programming with Reading Allowed |
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Generous contributions from our RA community have enabled our high-intensity, structured literacy instruction to continue over the summer months for our students. We are so grateful! Reading Allowed board member and retired school librarian, Cathy Kaufman, recently visited The Village Norristown (@villagenorristown) to read to students in their library. Cathy has devoted so much time working with TVN to create an enticing library and ensure their students love reading as much as she does. In addition to our regular students, Reading Allowed has loved working with students at ESF Dream Camp, Community Partnership School, and Senator Art Haywood’s Summer Camps in collaboration with Mt. Airy CDC Our summer programming goes beyond our one-on-one instruction, and our work with our partner organizations – like The Village Norristown – continues when school is not in session. |
| This Reading Allowed student is continuing work with her RA instructor, Lorraine, throughout the summer months so that she is ready for school come September. |
Reading Allowed has been collaborating with Mt. Airy and Senator Art Haywood’s Summer Camps to support literacy instruction. Students are learning and having fun at the same time! |
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Don’t Miss a FREE Screening ofThe Right to Read on August 29, 2023 |
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The Right to Read is an incredible documentary. It shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two families fighting to provide our children with the most foundational indicator of lifelong success: the ability to read.The film takes a deep dive into some of the root causes of the literacy crisis and ways we can fight it. Join us for a free film screening of this acclaimed documentary, followed by a panel discussion with local education leaders. We’ll cover insights into Philly’s early literacy crisis, shifting policies and innovative initiatives, and share tools to help ensure our children become the strong readers they deserve to be. |
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023 5:00-8:30 PM The Fillmore Philadelphia 29 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 |
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| This event is presented by: Read by 4th, the School District of Philadelphia, the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, Read2Succeed, the Center for Black Educator Development, Reading Allowed, Teach for America Greater Philadelphia, and Joyful Readers. |
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Reading Allowed is best known for our work in early literacy, so we’re proud to be a recipient of @PhillySJUnited’s Partnership Grant Program to drive more impact. Grants were awarded to organizations with roots deep in the community, offering solutions to eliminate poverty. We are one of 100 grantees from a diverse network of organizations in Greater Philadelphia whose work helps people and families thrive. |
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Reading Allowed is Hiring:Structured Literacy Instructor |
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Reading Allowed has partnered with several schools and community organizations in the Philadelphia area to provide structured literacy instruction to struggling readers in grades K-8. Based on student needs, Reading Allowed instructors provide small group or 1:1 structured literacy lessons. We are currently hiring part-time and full-time instructors with in-person and virtual options both during and after school hours. If you’re interested in working with Reading Allowed students click below to view the full description and requirements. |
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August is “Don’t be a Bully Month” |
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| A bully is someone who tries to hurt other people on purpose. Bullies hurt people with their words or with their actions. Sometimes people are bullied because they look or act differently from others, but the things that make us different are the very things that make us unique, talented, beautiful, and strong! Always remember, Kindness is Cooler! Click here to read the full list of August book recommendations. |
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| Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry (Grades K-3) A lonely tree branch and a rock find friendship and strength together. Stick and Stone feel very alone until a chance encounter leads Stick to stand up for Stone against a bullying pine cone. Now inseparable, the two explore and play. But when a storm carries Stick away, Stone must search for him and bring him back |
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| Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (Grades K-3) What should have been the perfect summer for one young boy is ruined when Jeremy Ross moves in and becomes number one on the narrator’s enemy list. Fortunately, his father has a secret recipe for a pie that is guaranteed to help get rid of enemies. While Dad works on mixing the ingredients and baking the pie, he explains his son’s role in the plan: “-you need to spend a day with your enemy. Even worse, you have to be nice to him.” |
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