For 15 years, Lead to Read KC has operated on a fairly simple belief: when a child has consistent access to books, individualized attention, and a caring adult who makes reading feel worthwhile, something changes. This year, we have more evidence than ever that it does.

Using new data from our school partners comparing Lead to Read KC classrooms with non-participating classrooms at the same schools, we found that our students closed the gap to grade-level reading at nearly twice the rate of their peers during the 2025-26 school year.

We tracked movement into Tier 1, meaning students reading at or above benchmark, from fall to spring.

Charter school partner:

Lead to Read class: 19% to 67% at or above benchmark (+48 points)

Comparison classes: 32% to 55% at or above benchmark (+23 points)

Public school partner:

Lead to Read classes: 13% to 41% at or above benchmark (+28 points)

Comparison classes: 13% to 28% at or above benchmark (+15 points)

Different schools with different starting points show the same pattern: students in Lead to Read classrooms gained ground at roughly twice the rate of students in comparison classrooms.

Only 5 Tables Remaining!

Reading hasn't begun yet, so this month we're shouting out one of last year's AFIA mentors, Sue Glatter Judy. Site Coordinator Katie Lee appreciates her flexibilty and dedication: "I'd love to have a Sue at every school."

Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here.