By Dr. Rebecca Parshall
Metro Atlanta’s literacy crisis is real: just 41% of 3rd graders scored proficient on last year’s English Language Arts exam. Fortunately, solutions are also real and underway. A large body of research in ‘the science of reading’ shows how to build young readers, and it’s everyone’s responsibility. Over the last few years, our region has been building an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to early literacy. The literacy training that is supporting our teachers is also available to all adults, including nonprofits that work with children.
In collaboration with The Rollins Center for Language and Literacy and its free, online Cox Campus, Learn4Life expanded Literacy and Justice for All to include nonprofit partners in 2023. The inaugural cohort of volunteers and nonprofit staff represented the following nine organizations:
- Agape Youth and Family Center
- Alliance Theatre
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta
- Cobb Collaborative
- Cobb County Public Library
- Everybody Wins! Atlanta
- LaAmistad
- The Literacy Lab
- SKIP Georgia Chapter Inc
In total, these organizations serve more than 150,000 children a year. Nearly 100 staff and volunteers engaged in 250+ courses on Cox Campus and earned the Nonprofit Certificate of Completion. Their impact on children’s literacy development will be significant and signals a true ecosystem approach across metro Atlanta.
“We’ve always known reading aloud helps develop young readers; now we understand the science behind it,” said Sue Palermo, Program Director at Everybody Wins! Atlanta. “Sharing this with our volunteers means they are more intentional and confident in their read aloud sessions with students, producing a greater impact on literacy skills.”
Julius Cave, Program Manager of the Leading Men Fellowship at The Literacy Lab shared similar sentiments: “This training helped our Fellows gain a deeper understanding of brain…
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