Empowerment Through Literacy


CLI's Proven Solutions for District Transformation






Discover how effective literacy instruction can unlock every child's potential. Our latest whitepaper, "Equity and the Science of Reading," offers critical insights into the science of reading and its impact on Black and Latinx children.
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Welcome to the Children's Literacy Initiative (CLI) Family! As an official district vendor, we are thrilled to partner with Mesa Public Schools and Maricopa County. Our goal is to offer transformative literacy professional development that meets the unique needs of your district.

At CLI, our mission is clear: we're disrupting early literacy norms to empower every child as a confident, successful reader. Through a culturally responsive approach and expert guidance, we pave the way for students to develop literacy skills and a strong sense of identity and belonging. Our focus on culturally affirming learning environments fosters equity and joy, laying the foundation for lifelong academic achievement.
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Why Partner with CLI?

Collaborative Partnership

Tailored Solutions

Sustainable Results

Proven Leaders with School-Based Expertise

Our leadership team, including Dr. Diana Greene, a former superintendent, and Mary List, our new Senior Executive Director, brings extensive real-world experience. Mary’s decades of hands-on experience in school leadership and service delivery at CLI have consistently driven remarkable outcomes:

Proven Success

Our initiatives have significantly improved student literacy and educator growth in districts like Philadelphia and Omaha.

84% of PreK children met or exceeded expectations on the FAST Assessment

+12% rise in student proficiency rates over four years.

+1.45 points increase in PK teachers' Instructional Support Quality.

20-25% proficiency gains within a year in CLI-supported schools.

3x faster advancement to proficiency in CLI-supported classrooms compared to non-CLI-supported schools.

See how CLI is building lasting capacity in teachers and principals, creating a ripple effect of positive change across our regions.

Customized Support for Mesa

Align professional development sessions with Mesa’s instructional priorities and Arizona ELA standards, creating a powerful synergy that drives meaningful improvements.
Discover Our Approach >

CLI is Committed to Your Unique Needs

We integrate district goals and curriculum with evidence-based practices, ensuring sustainable educational change. Our support includes leadership coaching, teacher training, and system-level consultation.

Empowering Every Student for Success

We support districts in creating inclusive, equitable environments where every student thrives. With a focus on addressing achievement gaps, embracing culturally sustaining pedagogy, and implementing data-driven instruction, CLI helps you achieve your educational goals.
Ready to transform your school's success?
Take the next step and schedule a 1:1 consultation with Mary List and our team.
We are ready to discuss how CLI can support your district’s unique needs. Explore our workshop offerings and discover how we can customize them for your schools.

Meet Your CLI Contact

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Mary List is CLI's new partnerships lead and is ready to help your team evaluate program offerings that are aligned with your needs. With a track record of transformative change in districts like Omaha, Chicago, and Des Plaines, she's poised to support OSDE in maximizing the impact of our SoR training offerings.
Contact Mary today >
CLI’s Educator Series
Fostering Equity and Inclusivity Within Your School
Learn More
Watch a recap from CLI’s national educator series, discussing literacy leadership and how educators can develop a clear vision to nurture children and celebrate the school community.

Join Our Community of Educational Leaders

Submit your contact information to join our mailing list for valuable insights and resources. Connect with our team to learn how we can help improve your schools and districts. Together, we can make a lasting impact on education.
Prefer to Talk to Someone? Contact Us.