We have provided the following links as quick access to learn more about the literacy challenge facing our nation and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and to the sites of those agencies who are working to find solutions and creative approaches to reaching them.
Read Charlotte: readcharlotte.org
Read Charlotte is “a collaborative, community-wide movement to double the percentage of 3rd grade students reading at grade level from 40% now to 80% in 2025.”
The Belk Foundation: belkfoundation.org
The Belk Foundation’s mission “is to invest in schools and organizations that work aggressively to ensure all students graduate from high school and continue on an intentional path toward college, career and life.”
The Rankin Institute of The Fletcher School: thefletcherschool.org/rankin-institute
The Rankin Institute is the outreach component of The Fletcher School, providing education and resources to teachers, professionals, and parents beyond those directly involved with the academic programs at Fletcher.
North Carolina Dyslexia Association: nc-ida.com
IDA is “is the leading resource for individuals with dyslexia, their families, teachers, and educational professionals around the world. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia.”
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center: ecac-parentcenter.org
Based in Davidson, NC, the ECAC “is a private non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children through a special emphasis on children with disabilities.”
Florida Center for Reading Research: fcrr.org
The FCRR “disseminates information about research-based practices related to literacy instruction and assessment for children in pre-K through 12th grade.”
Reading Matters to Maine: readingmatterstomaine.org
Reading Matters to Maine is a non-profit group “helping improve the knowledge base of all teacher candidates and current teachers who will be, and who are, teaching reading. This essential knowledge base includes the current science of reading, the foundational skills of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension), data analysis, effective use of assessment and monitoring tools, evidence-based reading instruction, and multi-tier systems of support (MTSS) for literacy instruction.”
understood.org: understood.org
Since 2014, Understood has served millions of families of kids who learn and think differently. Programs for Families, Educators, and Young Adults focus on empowering people who learn and think differently and those who support them, offering customized, accessible resources and a compassionate community.
Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators: ortonacademy.org
Providing newsletters and detailed readings, the mission of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) is to sustain the foundation of the principles of Orton-Gillingham (OG), as set forth by Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham.
Reading Rockets: readingrockets.org
Guest blogs, reading tips and a Facebook page writing about the best practices in reading instruction, the Common Core classroom, digital learning, and using books effectively both inside and outside of the classroom.
“Not having a teaching background, it was a surprising, joyful thing for me to see that light bulb go on. It comes when you least expect it. There will be a concept that you’ve tried to get across in so many ways, and one day they just know it. Augustine has a motto, “Changing lives, two at a time.”
Barbara Partington, ALP Tutor (eight years and counting)