Our Program
4X
Children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
6 out of 10
low-income students have no books in their homes.
78%
of low-income fourth graders read below grade level
Always Reading School Year Model
APPROACH TO IMPACT
The Always Reading Program provides families a digital tablet and a curated library of high-quality, age appropriate books for Kindergartners.
A Book Coach supports families and teachers to encourage parent engagement and promote the development of at-home reading routines.
ORIENTATION
Families receive tablet, as well as training on use of tablet and developing reading routines.
ACCESS TO DIGITAL LIBRARY
Families access library of books, curated in alignment with Always Reading curriculum.
PARENT EDUCATION & SUPPORT
Families receive additional training and weekly text messages with read-aloud strategies. Book Coach available for ongoing support.
GRADUATION
Program ends with graduation and gift of hard-copy books.
Our Theory of Change
What We Do
By providing families with access to high quality books and education on literacy strategies, Always Reading ...
Participant Outcomes
Increase Parent/Caregiver Knowledge of Family Reading
- Understanding the power of family reading
- Knowledge of readaloud strategies
- See themselves as critical components in establishing child's reading routines
Increase Family Engagement with Books
- Parents/caregivers find it easier to engage with their child in reading
- Families spend more time reading-aloud
- Children show greater interest in reading
Impact
Children have increased access to high quality books and shared reading practices to foster their literacy development, reading proficiency, and success in and out of school.
Community Outcomes
Increased reading achievement levels in the schools and districts that Always Reading serves.
What We Do
Always Reading has three pillars that support kindergarten students at home by giving families an entire library of books at their fingertips and provides family engagement resources for caregivers to read with their children.
High-Quality Books
- Families get access to high quality books in the home environment through a digital library application
- Special curated book collections with the library align to the Always Reading curriculum
- Families receive traditional books to keep at various points throughout the program.
21st Century Technology
- A digital tablet is loaned to each student for the school year, for one-to-one access to reading technology and the digital library.
- Digital library application captures student adoption including books, pages and minutes read.
- Internet access via a mobile data plan is provided to every student who needs it.
Family Engagement
- A "Book Coach" works directly with families and teachers to actively support families to build their skills.
- Parents receive training in book sharing strategies, the tablet and the library application.
- Text messages offering reading tips and early literacy best practices are sent to families three times a week.
Where We Serve
Always Reading serves low-income families in California and Hawai'i by partnering with high-need schools.
CALIFORNIA
69%
Fourth graders who are not reading proficiently
#46
Ranking among all states for reading proficiency.
HAWAII
68%
Fourth graders who are not reading proficiently
#43
Ranking among all states for reading proficiency.
Resources
Contact Us
Always Dream
125 Railroad Avenue
Suite 203
Danville, CA 94526
Always Dream is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit Organization. Our Federal ID No. is 94-3255817