Archive for News & Press

Michael Jordan Supports Children’s Literacy Initiative’s Work in Chicago Public Schools to Improve Student Reading Achievement

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2015 — Basketball great Michael Jordan selected national nonprofit Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) for a one-time gift to support CLI’s work in Chicago Public Schools to get more city children reading proficiently by 3rd grade. Jordan picked CLI as one of 23 Chicago-area, children-related charities to which he…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Receives $19.5 Million Federal Innovation Grant

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2015 — Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a national nonprofit focused on strengthening literacy in early education, will receive nearly $19.5 million from the 2015 Investing in Innovation (i3 grant) competition from the U.S. Department of Education. This is the second time that CLI has received a prestigious…

CLI to Present at the “Education Innovation Briefing” on Capitol Hill

Evidence at Work: Success Stories from Federal Investments in Education Innovation Hosted by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University, with support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation   Thursday, October 29, 2015  |  2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  |  Capitol Visitor Center, SVC-209-08 How…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Earns Coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator

(Philadelphia, 10/05/15) – Children’s Literacy Initiative’s sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the 4th consecutive time Children’s Literacy Initiative has earned this top distinction. Since 2002, using objective,…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Study Shows Program Significantly Improves Reading Achievement

Students with CLI-trained teachers received the equivalent of two additional months of literacy instruction.   PHILADELPHIA, PA (Aug. 26, 2015) – Teachers play a vital role in ensuring children can read by the end of third grade, but many fail to receive the training and ongoing support necessary…

CLI Launches New Visual Identity & Website

August 17, 2015 Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) today announced the official launch of its new visual identity and website. CLI is a non-profit organization focused on ensuring low-income students can read and write on grade level by the end of third grade. At the heart of CLI’s new…

US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizes CLI Impact

February 19, 2015 “When dozens of schools in Camden and Philadelphia see jumps in students’ reading skills, it’s worth asking why. The answer is an effort called the Children’s Literacy Initiative.” This quote originated from an article written by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan for Philly.com. Click…

Getting the ABC’s of learning to read with the Children’s Literacy Initiative

September 2, 2014 CLI’s new executive director, Dr. Joel Zarrow, PhD, was recently introduced to Philadelphia educators, board members and city officials at its Market St. offices. Zarrow made sure his audience understood his commitment to bringing kids in grades K-3 up to “snuff” and grade level when…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Names New Executive Director to Drive an Expanded Vision

April 11, 2014, Philadelphia, PA – With an organizational focus clearly fixed upon raising its profile within targeted groups of key, national, decision-makers, the Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), which trains teachers to achieve literacy education for children in high-poverty, high-minority school districts, by the third grade, today announced…

CLI’s Impact Presented at National Conferences

April 22, 2014 As part of Children’s Literacy Initiative’s i3 Project, CLI partnered with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in 2010 for a 3-year evaluation of the impact of the CLI Model Classroom Program. The third year of the data collection will wrap up at the conclusion…