Our Story
Reading Allowed was founded in 2019 by Angela Marks who passionately believes that reading is a right, not a privilege and that all struggling readers should have access to the highest quality literacy instruction regardless of financial circumstances. There are numerous sobering articles and much research that describe the long-term effects of illiteracy in our society. Angela knew that high dosage, structured literacy instruction benefits struggling readers. Since this type of intensive, specialized instruction can be financially prohibitive, she founded Reading Allowed
We began by offering individualized and affordable structured literacy tutoring services on a sliding scale basis. Families with struggling readers need significant
funds to engage private, structured literacy instructors to appropriately address their child’s individual needs; an option that is often cost-prohibitive.
In the summer of 2022, Reading Allowed expanded its mission and broadened its impact by working directly with school and community organizations to promptly identify children at risk, to support schools by providing the best possible structured literacy instruction, and to deliver appropriate interventions before students fail.
Reading Allowed is the only Philadelphia nonprofit to provide this level of intensive instruction to lower income students.
About Angela Marks
Angela holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is a Pennsylvania-Certified Reading Specialist. She is also a Wilson Reading System® Dyslexia Practitioner and a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
Reading Allowed serves more than 350 students who are supported by 70 tutors who are certified and experienced in structured literacy based programs and are committed to the academic and emotional wellbeing of the students they serve.
Reading Allowed believes that every struggling reader deserves the highest quality structured literacy instruction regardless of financial circumstances. Instruction is delivered by caring and compassionate tutors who have been rigorously trained and certified in the most effective methods of structured literacy practices based on scientific research. Our hope is that all struggling readers become lifelong and joyous readers and writers.
