For over ten years, Raising A Reader has been a leader in evidence-based literacy programming for young children. Outcome data demonstrate that Raising A Reader effectively develops family reading habits and, by doing so, helps young children enter school ready to learn. Raising A Reader Affiliates across the nation reflect the unique needs of their communities, enhance use of existing community services (particularly local libraries), and have a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families they touch.
- 75% increase in the number of parents who shared books with children five or more times per week (Norfolk, VA; 2004)
- Raising A Reader five-year-olds in Head Start scored 69% higher in pre-reading and 59% higher in book knowledge than other Head Start five-year-old or older children. (San Francisco County, CA; 2003)
- 350% increase in the percentage of Spanish-speaking parents taking their preschool children to the library at least once per month (Santa Clara County, CA; 2001)
“One of my greatest concerns is that very young, low income families often have nothing but a television as a means of receiving information and enjoyment. Often the reading/language skills assessed inchildren of these families are at the lower end of normal—RAR turns this around!” -- Educator, Multnomah County, OR
“One local mother told us that her 8 year-old could not read and that she herself did not graduate from High School, but that her 4 year-old was learning to read because of Raising A Reader. She also shared that because of Raising A Reader, she was learning to read and she had been inspired to go back to school to get her GED.” -- Sarah Bishop, United Way of Southampton Roads, Norfolk, VA
“A family who participated in the library event had NEVER taken their children to the library. The parents now have a library card and have returned to the library on their own.” -- Jeanne Chisena, Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), Alpena, MI
“Raising A Reader gives Spanish speaking parents the ability to practice reading basic English in the privacy of their home which begins to build confidence to read outside the home.” -- Dawn Ryan, Preschool Teacher, Aspen, CO
Raising A Reader does more than just give children books in the hopes they will be read. RAR helps families learn to share books so they can understand the delight that comes with reading (‘book cuddling’) and the power they have to help young children enter school ready to learn.