JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026
Impact Report
There’s a video that spread like wildfire across social media this year. A Philly high school student stopped his classmates and asked a simple question: Can you read? One by one, students stumbled over words printed on a flashcard. Words like “extraordinary” and “ambiguous.” Words you would expect students to have mastered at that age. Decoding was a struggle. The video went viral, putting a very old problem in front of a very new audience. This video isn’t a reflection of what students are capable of. However, it is a reflection of a decades-long structural failure, put on display in a way the public couldn’t turn away from. It was painful to watch for anyone. But for those of us working in literacy, it was all too familiar. This was also a year when the picture got harder to see. PSSA data was delayed. Schools were marked to close. Communities continued to navigate enormous change. And national headlines questioned: Have we entered a postliterate society? Do test scores and trends tell us that reading is dead? But numbers have never told the whole story. Because alongside the challenges, something else was happening across Philadelphia.
Educators were embracing the Science of Reading while calling for the support they need to give students what they deserve. Advocates were organizing. Tutors worked to build skills and confidence. Librarians created magic. Local journalists asked hard questions. Reading Captains spread book joy. And Philly families, they kept on reading.
Literacy is not just a skill a child learns. It’s a choice a city makes. And every day, Philadelphia has a chance to make that choice again. The pages that follow are a snapshot of what becomes possible when we choose to work together: the ideas tested, relationships built, families reached, and local leaders moving literacy forward. We should celebrate that progress. And as always, we should state clearly that we are not done. If anything, this year has made the work more urgent. Protecting every child’s right to read will take more than any one organization, school, funder, educator, or family can do alone. It will take all of us continuing to find one another and build each other up. Philadelphia is still rewriting its early literacy story. The next chapter is ours to write. And you have an important part in it.
Julia Cadwallender Managing Director Read by 4th
Read by 4th showed me that I wasn’t doing this work alone. There was a whole movement behind me of people, resources, ideas, and partners all working toward the same thing. That changed everything.” Partner Experience Survey, 2026
EMPOWERED FAMILIES KEY STRATEGIES & OUTCOMES FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Create and share meaningful literacy resources.
Parents and caregivers know more ways to support their child’s early reading and language. Read by 4th partners have more familyfriendly literacy resources, and use them.
DIVERSE BOOKS
Ensure families have books that reflect who they are and our world. Families have greater access to books they want to read. Read by 4th partners bring more diverse books into their programs.
JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026
69,490
84%
literacy resources distributed— 27,728 by partner organizations and 41,762 by Reading Captains
of partners say they have more family-facing literacy resources because of Read by 4th partnership
5
77%
new workshops in development, revamping the Parent Workshop for Early Reading Skills to increase usability
of partners say they have greater access to diverse books because of Read by 4th partnership
5,028
72%
page views of readingpromise.org and phillyabcs.org
of partners say they know where to refer families seeking literacy tutoring WE HEAR YOU Read by 4th’s new working group structure will focus on strengthening Philly’s high-impact tutoring landscape.
PWERS GETS A REFRESH
SCHOOL FAIR SUCCESS
Less talking at families, more connecting with them
1,300+ books. Thousands of families. One invite to read.
Read by 4th working group members refreshed the Parent Workshop on Early Reading Skills (PWERS) to make it shorter, more engaging, and easier to use. The goal? More time connecting with families and less time talking at them. Keep an eye out, new materials launching soon.
Read by 4th brought partners together to activate a vibrant Literacy Corner at Elevate 215’s K–12 School Fair. Together, we brought the joy of reading to tens of thousands of families exploring school options and educational opportunities. A huge thank you to Philly Book Bank, Tree House Books, Elegance Extreme Inc., Reading Captains, and Free Library staff.
MAKE THE HANDOFF COUNT
PLAY ON, PHILLY
How do you make resources are actually used?
Philly is officially the world’s first Playful Learning City!
A free resource only works if families use it. We’re taking what we’ve learned from tabling and turning it into better ways to connect, spark interest, and move people to action. Read more on our blog.
Thank you to Playful Learning Landscapes and partners for bringing science-backed, interactive learning into the places Philly families already spend time. Many of these spaces help children build the language and early literacy skills they need to learn to read. Play isn’t a break from learning. It’s part of it.
What happens when reading takes over an 80,000-person music festival? Shock, smiles, and genuine conversations about keeping literacy at the heart of culture.
ACTIVATED COMMUNITIES KEY STRATEGIES & OUTCOMES COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION
Activate community members to champion literacy.
Community members are aware of Philly’s early literacy crisis and movement.
ADVOCACY
Amplify and advance equitable education policies.
Community members feel energized and prepared to advocate for literacy in ways they see fit.
JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026
46 Reading Captains trained 1,302 since 2017
19 community-driven literacy projects awarded $37,500 by the Neighborhood Literacy Fund (Round 4) 85 awardees granted $159,040 since 2022
89% of partners report feeling energized and ready to advocate for literacy as part of Read by 4th
“There are many moments when I hear myself speaking with passion and conviction about the importance of developing and supporting early literacy. Those moments come more often as my confidence grows, built through firsthand information, articles, presentations, and the experiences of the families and educators we train.” Partner Experience Survey, 2026
SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TIME
WRITE THE FUTURE
Reading takes over the Roots Picnic
New postcards help everyone have a voice in literacy
Reading Captains, Free Library staff, Barbershop Books, the African American Children’s Book Project, PA Literacy Coalition, and the Emerson Collective took center stage, sharing free books and sparking unforgettable conversations about literacy. Because reading belongs everywhere community is.
Read by 4th’s Community Mobilization working group created new advocacy postcards and activities that make it easy for families, kids, and caring community members to speak up about why literacy matters. Want to make some noise? They’re FREE to request for partners and Reading Captains.
A FORCE FOR CHANGE
SPREADING THE LOVE
A day of remembrance became a day of action
Reading Captains are catching on in other cities
On MLK Day of Service 2026, hundreds of volunteers gathered at Temple University to pack literacy kits, build Book Arc Little Free Libraries, and take action for local communities. Elected officials and community leaders worked side by side, turning a day of remembrance into a day of action. Shout out to Global Citizen for leading the way.
Reading Captains were spotlighted by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and literacy researcher Dr. Susan Neuman as a promising model for mobilizing trusted messengers around literacy. What started in Philadelphia is now inspiring other cities to explore how neighbors and community leaders can help build a culture of reading.
Everyone has a role to play in growing stronger readers. Our new advocacy postcards give families, community members, and even kids a way to rally for reading.
JUST SYSTEMS KEY STRATEGIES & OUTCOMES QUALITY INSTRUCTION
Equip educators with resources and support aligned with the science of reading.
Educators and school leaders have increased knowledge of the science of reading. Children are taught to read in classrooms using evidence-based practices.
HIGH-IMPACT TUTORING
Expand access to evidence-based reading support.
Children and families have greater access to literacy services and support.
JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026
Act 47
100%
On November 12, 2025, Pennsylvania passed Act 47, strengthening statewide requirements for evidence-based reading instruction, teacher training, early literacy screening, and intervention.
of Read by 4th tutoring partners cite funding and procurement/clearance processes as the largest barriers to expanding access
15
“The failure of teacher preparation programs to adopt the science of reading has ripple effects.”
teacher preparation programs at 9 local universities are accredited in IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading
20 Read by 4th partners provided tutoring to 5,279 students in the 2025-26 school year SOURCE: Read by 4th Partner Agreement
SOURCE: Read by 4th Working Group Survey
KATE MAYER Keystone Structured Literacy Partners SOURCE: The Philadelphia Inquirer
RESEARCH MEETS REALITY
TEACHER PREP NEEDS WORK
What does high-impact tutoring look like in Philadelphia?
Preparing future teachers to teach reading well remains a work in progress
High-impact tutoring is one of the most promising strategies for supporting struggling readers. But translating research into real-world practice can get complicated. On our blog, Dr. Kendall LaParo shares findings on what’s working and where gaps remain to help us strengthen the sector.
Pennsylvania has more teacher preparation programs accredited by the International Dyslexia Association than any other state. At the same time, a recent national review found that many PA programs fall short in preparing future teachers to deliver evidence-based reading instruction.
EDUCATORS SPEAK UP
THE READ ACT
Implementation of the Science of Reading is where the real work begins
Federal Science of Reading Legislation Passes the House
A new review of the District’s ELA curriculum surfaced concerns about phonics instruction, access to books, and support for students who are behind. Chalkbeat breaks down what more than 100 educators said about the rollout and what the District is doing in response.
The READ Act is part of a growing national push around the Science of Reading. While federal policy could shape how states invest in reading instruction, Pennsylvania is already putting many of these ideas into practice through Act 47. Keep advocating locally with the PA Literacy Coalition.
Literacy is at the root of so many social justice issues. When people know how to read, they know how to work. They’re going to make more money. They’re going to be less violent. They’re going to make better political decisions. We need more people in this city, state, and country to become stronger readers.” DR. JAMES PETERSON Radio Host & Community Advocate
Read by 4th was proud to join educators, school and district leaders, advocates, policymakers, and community partners from across the Commonwealth at the PA Literacy Coalition’s 2026 PA Literacy Summit & Day of Action.
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
OUTCOMES Philadelphia has a strong early literacy ecosystem, in which all partners in a child's early literacy journey—including families, community members, educators, and systems leaders—have the information and resources they need to support young readers.
JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026
136 Read by 4th partner organizations
287 Read by 4th partners participated across 27 working group meetings
12 radio segments of Philly Reads produced, spotlighting the literacy crisis and solutions on WURD
6 Lunch & Learns engaged 284 live attendees and 620 registrants 30 events since 2022
56,648 page views of readby4th.org 247,040 page views since 2020
87% of partners say Read by 4th helps them connect with others doing similar work.
89% of partners feel like they’re part of a bigger movement through Read by 4th.
“Read by 4th has been an incredible thought partner. They’ve helped us think strategically about how to show up in Philadelphia and connected us to a wide network of partners.” Partner Experience Survey, 2026
LUNCH & LEARN
ADULT LITERACY
Dyslexia and race, the conversation partners kept returning to
Reading doesn’t stop at fourth grade
Our Lunch & Learns bring fresh ideas and practical tools to bring to your work. Our most popular session this year, Dyslexia and Race, with Resha Conroy, MPA, MS, CCC-SLP, explored why so many Black students with dyslexia go unidentified, and what we can do differently.
Adult literacy and early literacy are connected. We’re building more bridges between the two, including a new list of adult literacy providers on our Family Resources page and a popular Lunch & Learn featuring providers from Beyond Literacy and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
SPEAKING UP
NEW WAYS TO CONVENE
Yes, we’re angry about literacy rates, too
We’re planning new ways to bring partners together
When The Philadelphia Citizen challenged Read by 4th’s efforts to get kids reading, we had something to say. Managing Director Julia Cadwallender put the numbers in context, unpacked pandemic learning loss, and made the case for turning frustration into fuel for change.
From a focused high-impact tutoring working group to Communities of Practice and informal gatherings built for actual connection, we’re meeting the moment with more ways to learn, connect, and grow. Pull up a chair!
LOOKING AHEAD Keep literacy front and center
Expand access to high-impact tutoring
Read by 4th’s new advocacy postcards make it easy to make your voice heard, whether you’re talking to elected officials or rallying your community.
Advocate even louder
Recruit more Reading Captains
Create new ways to connect
PARTNERS A Book a Day Achieve Now Audacity to Dare to Educate After School Activities Partnerships AIM Academy and AIM Institute for Learning & Research ALLIED Hub Allyson Greco Arcadia University School of Education Baby B Soothed Barbershop Books BCDI - Philadelphia & Vicinity BelieveNBooks Beyond Literacy Book Trust Books in Homes USA BookSmiles Born With Purpose Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia Brilliant Cities Bustleton Learning Center Caribbean Community in Philadelphia Center for Black Educator Development Chase Books Children First Children's Literacy Initiative Cosmic Writers Crayons for Haiti, Inc. Creative Education Learning Academy LLC Curricula for the Community DayDream Kreative Studios Developing Excellence, Inc. Drexel University School of Education Driven by Design Creative Agency LLC Early Learning Resource Center 18
EDssentials Educating Communities for Parenting Educational Edge EleganceXtreme Inc Elements of Community, Inc Elevate 215 Elwyn First Book First Up Foster Grandparent Program Free Library of Philadelphia Friends of the Andorra Library Global Citizen Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance Heartwell Yoga Historic Fair Hill Indochinese American Council (IAC) International Dyslexia Association, PA Branch It's Not Your Fault John B. Kelly School Library Volunteers Program Jounce Partners Joyful Readers Kaboom! KENSINGTON SOCCER CLUB KIDazzle Literacy & Puppetry Kiwanis Club of Philadelphia Lakeside Global Institute Latinos Educando Juntos Lightbulb Learning Center Linked Family Services Literacy and More Inc Literacy Lab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Policy Lab Literacy Partners M.A.R.S. Youth Initiative Mastery Charter Schools
Maternity Care Coalition Mayor’s Office of Education Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Migrant Education Program Mini Montessori Academy Mt. Airy CDC Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown Nationalities Service Center Natural Creativity NNCC Nurturing Creative Minds Childcare Center Once Upon A Preemie, Inc One House at a Time - Beds for Kids Program Oxford Circle CCDA PA Literacy Coalition Parent Child Learning Project PARENT POWER ParentChild+ Penn Libraries PHENND Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL) Philly Book Bank (Reading Recycled) Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Philadelphia Housing Authority Philadelphia Literacy Initiative Philadelphia Writing Project Philadelphia Youth Basketball Philadelphia Zoo Philly Goat Project Inc Philly Reading Coaches (Office of Children and Families) Playful Learning Landscapes Please Touch Museum Providence Center Reading Allowed Reach Out and Read at St Christopher's Hospital for Children
Reach Out and Read Pennsylvania Read to Succeed Philadelphia Program Real OT Solutions, Inc. Regenerating Our Offspring Through Stories, Inc. Research for Action RSVP Volunteers Saint Joseph's University (SJU) Sanctuary Farm Phila School District of Philadelphia's Office of Family and Community Engagement See to Read Skychild Institute LLC Smart from the Start Springboard Collaborative Stacey Woodson, LLC TEACH Teach For America Teach Plus PA Temple Infant & Child Lab The African American Children's Book Project The Educational Advocates Reaching Today's Hardworking Students, Inc (EARTHS) The Simple Way Therapeutic CraftCare Tree House Books Vantage Vision To Learn Watchdog West Philadelphia Alliance for Children William Way LGBT Community Center Zulma Guzman
FUNDERS Anonymous The Allen Hilles Fund Benoliel Family Foundation Charities Aid Foundation of America The Christopher Ludwick Foundation
Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Lincoln Financial Norman Raab Foundation
Pennsylvania Department of Education PECO PNC Bank School District of Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Foundation Vanguard Group Foundation Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation
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