"Students become aware of their potential and were motivated to read and participate in classroom discussions. It gave them self-esteem."

(Teacher)

The Reading Excellence and Discovery (READ) Foundation serves at risk kindergarten and first graders by recruiting and training teens
to provide structured one-to-one tutoring in reading. 

Why is READ Unique?

Measurable Results – READ works!
READ students achieve an average of one full year of growth in their reading skills after 45 one-to-one tutoring sessions.  Click here for more information on READ’s results. 

Dual Impact
While elementary children achieve reading gains essential to their future success, READ teens develop college, career, and life skills as reading tutors and role models to their younger peers. 

One-to-One, Structured Approach
READ students greatly benefit from the one-to-one attention they receive from trained older peers from their own communities. 

Dynamic and Growing
READ has served more than 11,000 children and teens since our inaugural year 2000!  READ has also grown significantly in this time: from 37 children, 24 teens and 2 schools in the Bronx to nearly 1400 children and 1000 teens in partnership with more than 100 elementary, middle, and high schools and community based organizations in all five New York City boroughs in 2008.  Click here for more information on the neighborhoods served by READ.  READ is poised for continued replication within and beyond New York City. 

Click on the logos below for more information about READ’s awards: