LEARN.
Fostering a love of reading among all Oakland children with a goal of closing the grade level reading gap.
$4.5 million invested in literacy programming and 500,000 books distributed.
85% of Black and Latino/a
elementary school students in Oakland are not reading at grade level
CHALLENGE
We’re in the midst of a major literacy crisis in America. Nationwide, only 1 in 3 kids are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. In the last 10 years, progress for literacy rates in Oakland has been slow and incremental. In order for the next generation of Oakland youth to succeed, we must do more to make sure they are prepared. In Oakland, after more than a year of distance learning, 85% of Black and Latino/a elementary school students are not reading at grade level. Research shows reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a key predictor for high school graduation and career success.
While significant attention focuses on reading in elementary schools, the journey to becoming a reader begins at birth and must be a priority in a child’s first years. Nationally, 80% of children that are behind in reading when they enter kindergarten never catch up. In Oakland, 65% of kids entered kindergarten already behind and considered “not fully ready to learn.” And although the literacy crisis predates the pandemic, the effects of distance learning only intensified the problem, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable kids.
VISION
Together with Oakland Unified School District and respected community organizations who have worked to improve these outcomes for years, we are aligned around a common vision and five-year strategy to dramatically increase the rates of kindergarten readiness and third grade reading levels, from 35% and 37%, respectively, with a particular focus on Black and Latino/a kids.
Literacy is the focus of our “Learn” pillar, and with the help of Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s voices and platforms, Eat. Learn. Play. is uniquely positioned to convene and amplify a collective effort in Oakland to support stronger reading outcomes for its kids. As exemplified in our hunger relief work during the pandemic, our strength lies in our ability to coordinate and supercharge multi-sector partners to take bold action around urgent community issues.
OUR WORK
Create a culture of reading in Oakland to grow and inspire the next generation of young readers
Community Partners
Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development, Oakland Literacy Coalition, First 5 Alameda County, Kaiser Permanente, Donors Choose, Oakland Public Library, and Literati.