We work with educators to ensure

all children have the power of literacy.

For more than 30 years we have worked to strengthen public education by ensuring low-income students can read at grade level.

Independent evaluation found in the What Works Clearinghouse, shows that our approach for improving early literacy works.

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Professional Development

We help teachers, school-based coaches, principals, and district leaders implement strategies & systems for the continuous improvement of early literacy instruction.

One-on-One Individualized Coaching
Small Group Coaching Sessions
Leadership Coaching

Early Literacy Best Practices

Our workshops and institutes build teachers’ knowledge of literacy content and pedagogy. We focus on:

Classroom Culture & Environment, Intentional Read Aloud, Guided Reading, Reading & Writing Workshops, Independent Work Time, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.

Books & Materials

We provide curated collections of high-quality children’s literature and a variety of other learning materials important to successful literacy instruction.

What Our Partners Say...


Partners in Change - Charles Sumner School, Chicago, IL

“The coaching provided by the Children's Literacy Initiative has allowed many of our students to achieve their one year’s growth target.”
Philadelphia Principal
“Our children have benefited by receiving expert instruction in literacy, in an environment that supports their learning, and are now engaging in reading and writing in new ways.”
Philadelphia Principal
“Our children have benefited by receiving expert instruction in literacy, in an environment that supports their learning, and are now engaging in reading and writing in new ways.”
Philadelphia Principal

Increasing Proficiency. Fewer Students in the Lowerst Tier.


Research has shown that 3rd grade students scoring in the lowest tier of reading proficiency are the most at risk for leaving high school without a diploma.

In Philadelphia Schools CLI has served for more than 3 years, the student impact is clear.

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Trusted & Validated


We’ve received the highest endorsements in the non-profit sector, as well as some of the most prestigious awards in education. Independent evaluation found in the What Works Clearinghouse, shows that our approach for improving early literacy works.
  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    Charity Navigator

    We’ve received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, which means we’re accountable, transparent, and financially healthy!

  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    Library of Congress

    CLI was awarded the 2017 David M. Rubenstein Prize, the top honor in the Library of Congress Literacy Awards program for making an outstanding and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels.

  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    i3 Validation Grant

    CLI received the highly prestigious Dept. of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) grant to implement its early-childhood literacy program with kindergarten through second grade teachers.

  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    GuideStar

    Sound fiscal management and a commitment to accountability and transparency have earned CLI a Gold Participant rating.

  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    UPenn

    UPenn’s Center for High-Impact Philanthropy identified CLI as on organization where charitable dollars can do the most good.

  • Charity Navigator - 4 Stars

    i3 Scale-Up Grant

    As the single highest rated applicant CLI was awarded its second grant from the Dept. of Education to expand its work into an additional 4 urban school districts.

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