Parents Love Our Program
Every year we survey parents and educators on what they like or would have us change about their child’s summer reading program. Thousands participate via survey links sent via text, app, and email— in multiple languages.
K-5 Literacy
Writing is Reading in Reverse
Elementary teachers, reading specialists and literacy coaches all know that to be a good writer, children must also be good readers. They need to understand a plot, the characters, and sequencing and understand the vocabulary that moves a plot forward, explain the actions and motives of a character, and comprehend the changes that take place …
State Legislators Can Help
Third party organizations have recognized the value of our program—in particular, firms that help state legislators understand issues and see model solutions that can be supported with bi-partisan bills that move literacy forward. Based on a successful program we deployed in Michigan, where the state matched school funding for the Kids Read Now summer program, …
NAEP The Nation’s Report Card: Did Every Student Get an F?
More kids are further behind than ever. The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is considered the “Nation’s Report Card” on reading and math, and this fall, the report card for America’s 4th graders is basically an F. Post-pandemic—where many children were forced into remote learning situations and low-income students had challenges with technology and internet …
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Do you have your parents’ support and engagement?
Are your parents aware of their children’s true progress? According to an article in EdWeek, 92 percent of parents believe their children are at grade level and doing just fine in the classroom, despite the widespread evidence that the majority of students are struggling. Could it be that they would willingly and collaboratively engage with …
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Literacy Acceleration Playbook
Win. Excel. Beat a personal best. These are the mindsets of athletes. Even those who are not athletes know that in order to meet goals such as winning or surpassing a personal record one must practice, put in hard work, train, learn technique, and take feedback to help refine performance. In addition to the aforementioned …
Addressing the Summer Slide
In 2012, my wife Barb and I were commiserating about the state of reading in the country—specifically what she, a 4th grade teacher, called ‘the dreaded summer slide’. Far too many kids, particularly from families that struggle, head back into class every fall, with less opportunity than their peers. They are not as engaged. They …
Still SO Much to Do: Fixing the Literacy Issue in America’s Schools
The Current Situation Did you know that more than 65% of kids across the country are not reading at grade level, and the number jumps to 80% for low income students? Kids Read Now’s mission of eliminating learning loss and building home libraries for every PreK-5 student in the country is more important and pressing …
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We Need to Read
It’s no secret that we love books here at Kids Read Now. We love watching kids pick their own books. We love sending those books straight to their homes. We love seeing kids get excited to get new and exciting books in the mail. Most of all, we love how this process helps kids beat …
The Secret Strength of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
There’s this widgetsmith on the opening screen of my iPhone that reads, “As long as we’re creating it’s not too late to change our story.” People’s stories motivate and inspire but they also connect us, help us grow. Throughout my years of being an educator, tucking in beside my fellow professionals, really hearing their journey, …
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