History

After beginning in two schools in the Bronx, our work has spread to more than 40 schools in all five boroughs of NYC and just this year, beyond. Read Alliance exists because together we can prevent those even in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods from falling behind in reading. Seeking to narrow the wide disparity in reading scores, our founders brought together the research-based Reading for All Learners Program, a structured one-to-one approach, and a focus on student progress data. This simple model builds essential basic skills for young students and simultaneously fills the need for meaningful growth opportunities for teens.

We launched our first programs in the summer of 2000, training and employing 20 teens to tutor 35 children at two parochial schools in the Bronx. The young readers in these programs averaged more than a year's growth in reading in just a few short weeks.

Since that time, the education landscape has undergone tremendous changes: mayoral control of the New York City public schools, repeated restructuring of the City's Department of Education, the rise of the charter school movement, and stricter state standards, to name a few. Through it all, we have remained steadfast in our mission to help young at-risk students become proficient readers, continuously reflecting upon data and emerging community needs to improve our model while maintaining the elements critical for our success.

2000

• Read Alliance launches its first programs at two schools in the Bronx.

2001

• Our program expands to Manhattan and serves 190 students.

2002

• We serve our first public schools and expand to Brooklyn. Our program is recognized as scientifically-based and approved as a Supplemental Education Services provider under No Child Left Behind.

2003

• Student enrollment exceeds 500.

2004

• Read Alliance programming is recognized by the New York Life Youth in Action Award and the Manhattan Institute for Social Entrepreneurship.

2006

• Student enrollment exceeds 1,000.
• We extend our program time from 30 to 45 minutes based on data indicating that longer tutoring sessions yield stronger results.
• We receive a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

2007

• We expand our programs to Staten Island.
• We begin hosting parent receptions at all of our programs citywide, giving parents the opportunity to meet the teen tutors, learn about our methodology, and help support their child's reading progress at home.

2008

• After years of engaging teens as volunteers during the school year, we launch tutor pay for all eligible teens in response to the declining economy which created a shortage of teen job opportunities.
• Our Build Your Future program launches to provide additional growth opportunities for teens during the summer.
• Our Leadership Council is formed and hosts its first annual fall benefit for Read Alliance.
• Yvonne Petrasovits succeeds Anne Adler as President.
• We concurrently serve children and teens in all five New York City boroughs.

2009

• Black Entertainment Television features Read Alliance tutor Zaire Scott, highlighting teens who give back to their communities.
• We host our first annual spring benefit, honoring founder Al Sikes and first president Anne Adler.

2010

• Read Alliance celebrates its 10th Anniversary and service to more than 15,000 children and teens.
• We implement Real Books for Real Readers, which provides students with books on their specific reading level to encourage continued reading success at home.
• Third-party evaluation firm Metis Associates confirms what we have always known – that Read Alliance students, particularly English Language Learners, maintain their reading gains through the grades.
• We launch our evaluation of teen self-efficacy. Results show that teens demonstrate measurable improvements in attitudes toward school and motivation to succeed.