In push to get more kids reading, Philly is leading

We heard some great news for kids in Philadelphia—the district’s share of 3rd graders who tested at a proficient or better reading level increased 17%, outpacing gains made in nearly every major city in the country.

An important component in the strategy that led to that victory is yet another big district achievement in and of itself. Studies have shown that in order to sustain their reading capacity at grade level, a student needs at least a 95% school attendance rate.

This year, the District increased the number of students reaching that level of attendance by 8%. 

Philadelphia School District Superintendent William Hite announced the news about the progress his students are making at GLR (Grade Level Reading) Week, where 800 people from 120 communities across the country were gathered in Philadelphia to focus on strategies regarding raising the number of kids reading at grade level.

The conference underscored the city’s standing as a national leader in boosting student reading proficiency.

The gains Dr. Hite reported were possible because PCCY and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President of the Urban Affairs Coalition, saw the urgent need and opportunity to move the needle on child literacy and founded the Read By 4th campaign in 2014.

[Click the image above for “A Conversation with Our Founders”]

Thanks to Read By 4th, the district has installed libraries in every classroom, trained teachers in the science of reading, and provided reading coach experts for teachers so that they learn how best to help struggling readers. School funding increases from the state, spurred by the Fair Funding campaign, as well as funds from the William Penn Foundation, helped introduce these new resources into the district.

Managed by the Free Library, Read By 4th includes over 100 local nonprofits and government agencies and has distributed more than 80,000 free books, recruited reading captains, and put a focus on reading in summer camps and after-school programs.

“We are bringing literacy to life in every part of our city: grocery stores, barbershops, laundromats, home visits, and reading captains,” said Mayor Kenny, who was warmly received by the crowd of national leaders for prioritizing the needs of Philadelphia children. 

This inclusive, multi-generational approach, which includes reading-related workshops for parents and other adults, reinforces a love of reading.

Put another way, the campaign is succeeding because of how broadly the objectives are shared among groups and individuals. Everyone owns this, as Matlock-Turner succinctly notes. 

“Anyone can be a reading hero and play a role in starting reading habits that help young people grow as individuals and citizens,” said Siobhan Reardon, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia.