Read by 4th

03/27/2026

Have an idea to help Philly's kids grow as readers? We want to give you up to $2,000 to help make it happen.

Too many of our children are falling behind in reading.

But this is a problem we can solve.

The Neighborhood Literacy Fund is open to EVERYONE! Parents, teachers, advocates, or caring neighbors, you can apply.

Applications are due April 22.

Reading is the key to the life our children deserve.

01/06/2026

How might we help families better understand the Science of Reading and what it really takes to learn to read?

The Anatomy of a Reader is a visual tool we designed to help families, community members, and partners see what actually goes into learning to read and why every piece matters.

Don’t get us wrong, we’ve got love for the Five Pillars of Reading. But we felt it was important to put the reader at the center and name motivation as essential.

When literacy concepts feel more human, families are more empowered to support them.

12/01/2025

How did Philly lose its school librarians? Our public schools once had nearly 200 school librarians, now it has two. This is how the city lost them and how we can bring them back.

09/04/2025

From volunteering to advocacy, you can make a difference this .

Here are 5 ways you can support Philly's young readers this National Literacy Month.

08/28/2025

"Librarianship, at its core, isn’t just about books, says Sophie Tessier, a 26-year-old reference librarian at a law library in Philadelphia. For Tessler, it’s about “how [we can] remove barriers to safety, barriers to access, barriers to information.”

People say libraries are dying. Young librarians think they’re just evolving — and expanding their social conscience as they do.

08/13/2025

Philly, let’s rally for our young readers!

We’ve joined forces with the PA Literacy Coalition, Children First, Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians, and the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia to launch FREE advocacy posters highlighting the early literacy crisis and the policies that can help change it.

They’re available in English and Spanish. And easy to download, print, and share with your community.

Parents, activists, teachers, neighbors--let’s protect every child’s right to read!

Want to rally for Philly’s young readers? Download our free posters and help push for policies that fuel early literacy success.

07/07/2025

Want to know what Philly changemakers just told us about the fight for early literacy and being part of the Read by 4th movement?

Our 2025 Partner Experience Survey gave us a front-row seat to how nonprofit leaders, Reading Captains, educators, and more feel about working together to get all Philly children reading at grade level.

From what’s working (like trusted relationships and shared resources) to where we can grow (more clarity, more advocacy), this feedback is shaping our next chapter.

06/27/2025

📚 Philly shows up for school librarians!

We joined over 100 advocates for a Read-In at the School District of Philadelphia building. No chants. No speeches. Just books in hand and a quiet call to action: Fund school libraries. Bring back certified teacher librarians.

Right now, Philly public schools have just 5 certified teacher librarians for 116,000+ students. Seriously, let that sink in.

Alongside our friends at Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians, Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA), and EveryLibrary, we showed up to turn the page on literacy injustice. Because every child deserves access to stories, support, and a space to grow as a reader.

06/12/2025

Ending the school year on a high note! 📚🌟

We’re thrilled to spotlight John Moffet School and the incredible ways they’re inspiring young readers! Check out how their whole-child, whole-community approach is not only making reading fun but also engaging the entire neighborhood.

To all the teachers and educators, happy summer! You’ve made it through a year of big changes—especially with the new ELA curriculum updates. We applaud you for your dedication and hard work, and we hope you get to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Moffet School is rewriting the script on reading with structured literacy, family engagement, and a whole-child approach.

05/28/2025

“It’s one thing to say that structured literacy and the science of reading is important, but to put funding behind the systems that actually make it possible for that change to happen is really where we’re going to see improvement for kids.” — Julia Cadwallender, Managing Director, Read by 4th

One proposed bill would require districts to adopt reading curriculums that follow research-based best practices. Another would establish a grant program to help schools and mandate regular reading screenings.

05/27/2025

Calling all Philly parents and caregivers! Our friends at FathersRead365 are hosting an important (and FREE!) convo you won’t want to miss. Join expert voices in literacy and speech-language pathology to learn how to spot early signs of reading struggles and what to do next to get your child support.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 28
⏰ 7:30–8:30 PM EST
📍 Zoom Webinar | 🎟️ Free registration



https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-literacy-webinar-the-signs-of-reading-differences-tickets-1375237234589?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawKilOJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEdUpwaG9Eekp0UUdYR2F5AR7poHH6VB5d70aHv1Tl2CiqsQ8hka767uNKvi1B5F5ZHFesE3Sr6RvUVUjuqQ_aem_Qw3aqBwjCxnbtZBPtIGs9g

Join us for FR365 Family Literacy Night to learn how to spot the signs of reading differences and what you can do to advocate for your child