Since our inception in 1994, Literacy First has had a deep commitment to combating educational inequity as it relates to childhood literacy across Central Texas. Literacy First’s primary goal is to ensure all students regardless of racial, social or economic status meet their academic potential by ensuring that they can read well by the third grade. By providing best-in-class, early literacy tutoring in English and Spanish to young growing readers in under-resourced schools, Literacy First helps our diverse Central Texas students and families thrive. Over the years, Literacy First has helped more than 25,000 students become strong readers in their early years in school, setting them on a path to success in school and in life. Literacy First has achieved this through careful application of recognized research on best practices for early reading skills, research on the effective use of paraprofessional tutors and a commitment to ongoing program evaluation and innovation.
Even as we maintain our proven model of training AmeriCorps members as reading tutors, we are implementing new, data-driven strategies to reach more students by working with teachers, reading specialists, paraprofessionals, and other school and district personnel. Our strategic plan sets a course for continuing to innovate in ways that expand our reach and impact.
Our work is grounded in four core values that help us lead with integrity in all we do:
We embody the spirit of service in pursuit of educational equity and every child’s right to read.
We achieve quality impact through continual learning, meaningful evaluation, and advancing expertise in literacy.
We embrace community strengths through respectful and intentional collaboration with students, parents, tutors, teachers, and partners.
We nurture an inclusive culture where our diverse staff, tutors, partners, and participants engage in honest, supportive interactions and find a sense of belonging.
