Impact Report
JULY 2022 – MARCH 2023
Together, we're better.
As we fight against society's most urgent issues, our focus often centers on policies, practices, and resources Let us be clear, these are essential Yet another crucial aspect of this work often slips through the cracks the power of relationships
Each of us plays a vital role in raising readers loving parents, educators, community champions, and policy leaders. However, it is through our interconnectedness and collaboration that true change happens.
The following report reflects what we, the Read by 4th movement, have intentionally accomplished together. We hope it serves as a reminder of the strength of our partnerships and inspires you for the work ahead
READING PERFORMANCE
“Don't become desensitized to the numbers There are young people sitting behind those numbers waiting for us to come and do something for them So, before we go down that deficit mindset, let's just think about what we haven't done yet to get our young people what they need Because they are more than capable ”
NYSHAWANA FRANCIS-THOMPSON, ED.D Chief of Curriculum and Instruction School District of Philadelphia
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
KEY STRATEGIES
Provide families with information, tips, and resources to support early literacy skills
Ensure children have access to books they’ll love for their homes
Increase diverse books distributed to better reflect the communities and cultures of Philadelphia
JULY 2022 – MARCH 2023
2,070 Ready4K subscribers
4,178 since 2017
34 people trained in Active Reading Workshop and Parent Workshop for Early Reading Skills
13,731 page views of readingpromiseorg 36,543 since July 2021
115,000+ Reading Promise materials distributed 305,000 since 2020
70% of Read by 4th partners report using Reading Promise materials
318,898+ books distributed by Read by 4th partners 2,708,050 since 2016
24,541 diverse books were awarded to 87 Book Wish grantees
Enrollments
CO-CREA
Attendance Toolkit tackles truancy with positive messages and resources
In addition to launching its 5th edition, Read by 4th presented the toolkit to local truancy providers and held a guided discussion about trauma-informed attendance advocacy models
TEXT TIPS
Ready4K enrollments surge thanks to a partner-led push
With a shared drive to promote school readiness, early childhood education partners have incorporated Ready4K as a recommended resource during intake This shift in outreach processes has resulted in enrollments that have surpassed our annual goals
Read by 4th sponsored 45 partners to attend a workshop hosted by ParentChild+ and PHMC exploring the social-emotional impact of representation in children's books and providing resources for developing a more equitable book distribution practice
SUPER SWAG
Health Department launches playful products to help boost babies’ brains
Little Ones Learning at Home provides early learning products for home visitors citywide to share with families with children ages 0-3 The materials are based on Reading Promise messaging. In October 2023, Read by 4th presented to 60+ home visitors about talking with families about literacy
At free workshop, partners deepen their commitment to distributing diverse books
WINDOW, MIRRORS, + DOORS
COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION
KEY STRATEGIES
Energize community members with information and resources to champion early literacy
Embed playful learning design and literacy into public and community spaces
JULY 2022 – MARCH 2023
106 Reading Captains trained 1,052 since 2017
(SOURCE: Global Citizen)
52 events held in 28 zip codes during Reading Promise Week 2022 110 since 2020
23 community-driven literacy projects awarded $40,040 from the Neighborhood Literacy Fund since launching in 2022
44
Playful Learning installations built or in progress since 2016
SOURCE: Playful Learning Fellow, City of Philadelphia
Reading Promise Week 2022
Events Map | Oct 10-16
COMMUNITY-DRIVEN
Science enthusiast designs event that builds vocabulary through S.T.E.M.
Exothermic, inflate, prediction, fizz! These are just some of the words families learned through hands-on experiments at the Storytime & STEM event created by Neighborhood Literacy Fund awardee, Dr Adriene Hobdy
READING PROMISE WEEK
Roundtable explores challenges and highlights of raising readers in your second language
The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations' powerful Reading Promise Week event brought immigrant and refugee families together to share and learn from each other's parenting experiences teaching their children to read
'TIS
THE SEASON
Reading Captains' llamathemed Christmas tree was a hit at the zoo
West Philly Reading Captains went all out with their 'Llama Llama Red Pajama' Christmas Tree decorations. This festive sight was a part of the Philadelphia Zoo's LumiNature winter light experience
PLAY•PHL
What does play look like in Philly? Kaboom’s interactive map exposes inequities
Far too many children – especially children of color – miss out on access to quality play spaces. Kaboom's Places to Play Equity Map highlights spatial trends, community voices, and suggests priority areas for investment
SYSTEMS CHANGE
KEY STRATEGIES
Equip educators with the skills, resources, and support needed to teach reading before and after they enter the classroom
Champion the expansion of options for high-dosage tutoring
Expand literacy support in all systems that serve families (healthcare, ECE, out-ofschool, summer, etc)
TOTAL TO DATE
14 programs at 8 local universities accredited in IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading
1,431 children served by high-dosage tutoring models in SY 2022-2023
SOURCE: Systems Change Working Group
17,000 quality preK seats in SY 2022-2023
SOURCE: Office of Children and Families
LITERACY LEGISLATION
Chapter 49 is poised to transform teaching in Pennsylvania
New legislation now requires Pennsylvania's higher education institutions to provide teacher preparation in structured literacy This amendment was advocated for by many members of Read by 4th’s Teacher Preparation and Support working group
PROMISING PROGRAMS
A commitment to light-touch literacy makes a big impact after school
The Office of Children and Families has continued to uphold early literacy as a priority for all city-funded out-of-schooltime programs that serve elementaryaged children
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Structured literacy takes center stage at PA Higher Ed Summit
Professors and administrators within PA schools of education gathered to learn practical knowledge for developing structured literacy teacher preparation programming in alignment with new regulatory and statutory requirements
Effective one-on-one or small-group tutoring is hard to pull off. But several organizations are leading the charge here in Philadelphia including Joyful Readers Expanding effective tutoring models is an important strategy to consider as we address COVID learning loss
High-dosage tutoring models expanding, but more needed
SOLID SUPPORT
READ BY 4TH MOVEMENT
BACKBONE STRATEGIES
Maintain a clear vision and momentum
Convene and align diverse stakeholders
Learn and create best practices
Listen, reflect, and refine through evaluation
Record and amplify stories
JULY 2022 – MARCH 2023
14 new Read by 4th partners 138 active organizational partners as of March 2023
250 Read by 4th partners attended 32 working group meetings
8 Lunch & Learns engaged 200+ attendees
11 since 2022
43,358 page views of readby4thorg
286,861 website visits since 2017
85% of partners report gaining a deeper knowledge of evidence-based practices to promote early literacy as a result of being a part of Read by 4th
88% of partners report having better access to high-quality family resources as a result of being a part of Read by 4th
90% of partners report Read by 4th builds connections that facilitate the alignment of strategies and activities
EQUITABLE EDUCATION
Popular Lunch & Learn explores PA’s landmark school funding case
Over 90 people registered for our conversation with Dan UrevickAckelsberg, Senior Attorney at the Public Interest Law Center, about the historic win for school funding in Pennsylvania The lawsuit, first filed in 2014, argued that the state's process for funding schools is unconstitutional And a judge agreed
SHARED RESOURCES
New
To help partners stay on the same page, Read by 4th created the Early Literacy Skills Essentials and Anatomy of a Reader graphics to clarify core developmental reading processes These and many other free materials can be downloaded at readby4thorg/resources
"As a part of Read by 4th, I've formed relationships that have helped my growth and created opportunities for great collaborations "
A HELPING HAND
Vanguard and PNC Grow Up Great make packing 2,000 play kits easy
As part of the Philly ABCs summer campaign, Read by 4th is distributing play kits filled with materials that help families practice alphabet knowledge skills Over two days, volunteers helped pack posters, playdough, games, and more
"I'm always impressed by the amount of information Read by 4th shares. There are so many wonderful projects and initiatives!"
"It's been great to network with others and gain a better understanding of what is happening in Philadelphia "
PARTNER EXPERIENCE SURVEY
graphics help align strategies to how children learn to read
Thank you for everything you’ve done for and with us. We can’t wait to see what's next.
readby4th org
