Readers 2 Leaders

Readers 2 Leaders Equips Students for Success

Literacy unlocks brighter futures for children, families, and communities. That’s why Readers 2 Leaders’ mission is to equip all students for success through the power of reading. With evidence-based tutoring methodologies at the heart of all we do, Readers 2 Leaders prepares children, caregivers, and educators with the tools to read and share reading with others. We reach children with crucial literacy intervention and enrichment at schools, in out-of-school time (OST), at partner nonprofits, and at home, and we prioritize reaching children of color and those who are economically disadvantaged to help close systemic resource gaps that affect these students most. Our diverse staff and leadership seek to integrate the experiences and concerns of our communities through consistent, culturally competent, and creative approaches to literacy learning.

In the late 2000s, Readers 2 Leaders founders Ted and Stephanie Schweinfurth recognized that the West Dallas students they mentored struggled with reading, and the neighborhood didn’t have a tutoring center. With a single staff person and a team of passionate volunteers, Readers 2 Leaders launched its literacy intervention programs in 2011 to help bridge the gap in literacy access faced by students of color and those who are economically disadvantaged.

Readers 2 Leaders (R2L) serves schools and organizational partners throughout Dallas County. Through community engagement and a commitment to research-based methodologies, R2L has contributed to transforming communities, families, and children through reading since 2011. Historically, more than 80 percent of students in our programs make significant, measurable growth in their reading skills. For students, this means a better academic experience, greater employment opportunities, and more choices to pursue fulfillment and happiness. 

During the 2024-25 school year and summer, we anticipate reaching 1500 children with essential literacy support services and training 300 adults to impact more students. In partnership with providers and funders, we remain determined to make reading a reality for all Dallas children.

Our Kids Deserve to Read

Readers 2 Leaders envisions a world where all students have equitable opportunities to thrive as readers and leaders, but it will require energy and collaboration from across the educational ecosystem to make that dream a reality. According to the 2022 Commit Scorecard, 43 percent of Dallas third graders read on grade level. While this represents an 8 percent improvement compared to 2012, there is much to do, especially to increase support for students who are Black, Latino, and/or economically disadvantaged. We know that students who read proficiently by 4th grade are 4-6 times more likely to graduate high school (Annie E. Casey Foundation). Organizations, including the White House, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and McKinsey & Company all affirm that high-quality one-on-one and small-group tutoring is the most impactful way to improve literacy outcomes.

Taking Literacy to Children, Adults, and Communities

At Readers 2 Leaders, we teach reading! We tutor children at in-school, after-school, and summer camp sites; we equip educators and nonprofit professionals with the skills to teach phonics and help their students grow as readers; and we provide literacy tools to caregivers, including those who are English language learners, so they can help their children with reading and more easily navigate daily life.

For 2024-25, we expect to achieve the following outcome and output goals:

• 85 percent of academic-year students tutored by an R2L instructor will improve key early literacy skills based on nationally-normed assessment Renaissance Star.

• 85 percent of summer session students tutored by an R2L instructor will improve key early literacy skills based on nationally-normed assessment Renaissance Star.

• R2L will reach 1500 children with high-quality literacy support services

• R2L will equip 300 adults to help children grow as readers.

We know these programs work. In 2023-24,  using Renaissance Star, 87 percent of academic-year students made measurable progress toward their reading goals.