Impact
We stand out from other organizations providing books and professional development – our programs are independently evaluated and proven to transform learning outcomes for children.
Independently Validated Results

Sustained Impact & ROI
Schools served by CLI’s i3 Validation project in Philadelphia and Chicago are still outperforming the control schools from that study on third grade, standardized assessments. Learn more about our i3 Project.
University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High-Impact Philanthropy
UPenn’s Center for High-Impact Philanthropy has re-affirmed CLI as an “exemplar agent” improving early literacy education and making a long-term impact year after year. View the comprehensive report.
OMG Center for Collaborative Learning
A 2009 control-group study by OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, funded by the William Penn Foundation, showed that kindergartners and first graders in Philadelphia schools with CLI classrooms consistently outperformed peers on district literacy skill assessments.


Independent Study Proves Children's Literacy Initiative's Methodology Provides Significant Results
Results from a three-year, randomized control-group study of CLI’s i3 project in four cities by American Institutes for Research, showed that:
- Kindergarten and second grade students in CLI schools scored significantly higher on standardized early reading tests than students whose teachers were not exposed to CLI.
- CLI had a significant positive impact on the quality of teachers’ literacy instruction in both kindergarten and first grade classrooms.
See More Impact Across Our Regions
CLI's community of supporters work and give to empower and amplify reading outcomes for Black and Latinx children. Together, we are committed to providing Black and Latinx children access to high-quality, identity-affirming books and teachers with best-in-class early literacy instructional resources.
By helping educators learn high impact instructional strategies and nurturing dynamic professional learning communities, CLI builds lasting capacity in teachers and principals over time.


– Teacher at a CLI-supported school
Interested in CLI services? Connect with a CLI team member today to learn more about our services and opportunities for collaboration.