JULY 2023 – JUNE 2024
Impact Report
To our fellow literacy champions, thank you for driving us forward.
Change is in the air Philadelphia welcomes a new mayor, our schools are embracing a science-based reading curriculum, and policies supporting evidence-based literacy practices are taking hold statewide
At Read by 4th, we’re moving forward with new leadership, joined by our new Managing Director, Julia Cadwallender, whose expertise in education and deep-rooted dedication to the Science of Reading add fresh perspective to our path. While Jenny continues to lead Read by 4th, she is also stepping into an expanded role as Chief of Community Engagement and Public Programs for the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.
As always, our mission remains clear: to ensure every child in Philadelphia reads at grade level by the fourth grade
This year’s strategic planning process reaffirmed the value of our work together We listened closely as our partners shared what matters most connection, transparency, and
Collective Strategies
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
DIVERSE BOOKS
COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION
PUBLIC ADVOCACY
QUALITY INSTRUCTION
HIGH-IMPACT TUTORING
Create and share meaningful literacy resources.
Ensure families have books that reflect who they are and our world
Activate community members to champion literacy
Amplify and advance equitable education policies
Equip educators with resources and support aligned with the Science of Reading
Expand access to evidencebased reading support
68.9% ofPhilly’schildren arenotreadingat gradelevelbythe 4thgrade.
Our new Common Agenda collective strategies are both our roadmap and our rallying cry. By advancing advocacy, strengthening effective initiatives, and scaling what works, we’re poised to drive lasting change.
As we enter a transformative era for Philadelphia, we’re pleased to share the latest Read by 4th Impact Report a story of collective commitment, strategic shifts, and the shared ambition to reshape the future of literacy in our city
Thank you for your partnership and belief in the future we’re building together As we move into this next chapter, let’s stay ambitious, keep innovating, and work toward a city where every child’s reading success is not only possible but certain
Together for every young reader,
Jenny Bogoni Chief of Community Engagement and Public Programs
Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
Julia Cadwallender
Managing Director
Read by 4th
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 2023 – JUNE 2024
4,462
Ready4K subscribers
260 people trained in Active Reading Workshop and Parent Workshop for Early Reading Skills
408,115+
books distributed by Read by 4th partners
2,878,570+ since 2016
26,240
diverse books were awarded to 56 Book Wish grantees
9,339 page views of readingpromiseorg 40,746 since July 2021
126,000+
Reading Promise materials distributed 431,000 since 2020
70% of Read by 4th partners report using Reading Promise materials
PHILLY ABCS
Alphabet installations bring playful learning to Philly playgrounds
In partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, we’ve integrated alphabet learning into over 20 playgrounds and recreation centers across North, West, and Southwest Philadelphia
A South Philly mural is changing the way we think about literacy
In collaboration with artist Manuela Guillén, students from Kirkbride Elementary brought a vibrant mural to life Part of the We Will Write the World project, this artwork sparks conversations about early literacy between kids and adults.
DIVERSE BOOKS
Philly Book Bank celebrates grant applicants with free books
To honor all the incredible applicants for the Philly Book Wish grant, Philly Book Bank invited those not selected to explore their collection and take home free books
WELCOMING WORKSHOPS
District leaders take on the Parent Workshop on Early Reading Skills
SDP’s Bilingual Counseling Assistants and FACE Office participated in the Parent Workshop for Early Reading Skills, learning essential literacy skills and fun tips to share with families
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 2023 – JUNE 2024
106 Reading Captains trained 1,091 since 2017
(SOURCE: Global Citizen)
74 events held in 75% of Philly zip codes during Reading Promise Week 2023 201 since 2020 44 community-driven literacy projects awarded $81,040 from the Neighborhood Literacy Fund since launching in 2022 49
Playful Learning installations built or in progress since 2016
SOURCE: Playful Learning Fellow, City of Philadelphia
Accepting my application was the best thing ever. It was like gold. You listened to what I had to say and gave me an opportunity.
I was thinking I couldn’t make a difference and you stood behind me.
DEB COLTER Neighborhood Literacy Fund Awardee
WILD ABOUT READING
Reading Captains shine at Zoo’s Community
Night
At the Philadelphia Zoo's Community Night, Reading Captains captivated families with books and resources, showcasing their dedication to literacy and the strong community partnerships they've built
A CELEBRATION OF LITERACY
Philly hosts 70+ events during Reading Promise Week 2023
Philly's annual family literacy festival featured over 70 free events, reaching communities across the city and distributing 17,332 children's books This achievement was made possible by hundreds of dedicated volunteers and partners
Celebrating leaders of the Neighborhood Literacy Fund COMMUNITY POWER
In July 2024, we gathered for an inspiring evening honoring the awardees and supporters of the Neighborhood Literacy Fund. This participatory grant-making initiative helps community members bring literacy solutions to life
$150K grant aims to get more librarians in Philly's public schools
The Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians and the School District of Philadelphia have received funding to develop a strategic plan to recruit school librarians
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
13 programs at 8 local universities accredited in IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading
22 Read by 4th partners advancing highdosage tutoring models
SOURCE: Read by 4th Partner Agreements
17,000 quality preK seats in 2023-2024
SOURCE: Office of Children and Families
NEW RESOURCE!
This bookmark links to free early literacy resources curated by and for local educators
New curriculum in Philadelphia embraces the Science of Reading EMBRACING EVIDENCE
Philadelphia schools are set to implement a new science of reading curriculum starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. This approach aims to enhance literacy outcomes for students by aligning teaching methods with evidence-based h
Joyful Readers students achieve remarkable gains
An independent study by Research for Action revealed that students in the Joyful Readers program improved their literacy scores by 8 percentage points during the 2022-2023 school year surpassing the expected growth for a single academic year
Supporting principals in the transition to the Science of Reading EQUIPPING EDUCATORS
To aid the new ELA curriculum rollout, the School District of Philadelphia has trained principals in the Science of Reading and launched a Community of Practice to promote collaboration among educational leaders This initiative is set to expand further with the support of key partners
POWERFUL POLICY CHANGE
PA legislature unanimously pass Senate Bill 801
This bill is a significant advancement for the Science of Reading in PA and will lead to recommendations of science-of-reading aligned literacy curriculum, screening tools, and professional development
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 2023 – JUNE 2024
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
One of many messages of gratitude shared during Read by 4th’s Partner Network Meeting
Read by 4th's strategic review leads to new Common Agenda OUR NEXT CHAPTER
Following a comprehensive planning process led by Strategy Arts, we’re thrilled to announce our new Common Agenda, co-developed by our partners.
MOTIVATIONAL MOVIE
Hundreds gather in Philly to watch documentary, The Right to Read
Read by 4th hosted a free screening of the Right to Read followed by a panel discussion of local literacy leaders sharing insights on the early literacy crisis in Philly and actionable next steps
INSPIRING INSIGHTS
Lunch and Learns continue to ignite literacy discussions
This season's events captivated partners and the public, covering topics from Mississippi's lessons to high-impact tutoring models. A standout event featured educator and TikTok star Spencer Russell, whose lesson on alphabet awareness garnered over 87K views on YouTube
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Read by 4th shares insights with Puerto Rico
Jenny Bogoni, Executive Director of Read by 4th, visited the ¡Todos a Leer! literacy campaign in Puerto Rico to exchange insights and strategies aimed at improving our shared mission: tackling the early literacy crisis
