Free Literacy Tutoring for LA Youth

K-12 STEAM education

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Many students in underserved communities face significant barriers to academic success due to limited access to personalized literacy support. Without targeted instruction and resources tailored to their individual needs, these students often struggle with reading comprehension, writing fluency, and critical thinking. This gap in foundational literacy skills not only impacts their performance in core academic subjects but also diminishes their confidence, engagement, and long-term educational aspirations. As a result, many fall behind their peers, increasing the risk of dropping out and limiting their opportunities for higher education and career advancement. Access to personalized, culturally responsive literacy support is essential to ensuring all students can reach their full potential and become empowered, lifelong learners.

We will expand our existing tutoring program to serve a greater number of students across Los Angeles, with a focus on those in historically underserved and marginalized communities. Our program provides free, personalized literacy tutoring tailored to each student’s unique learning needs, academic level, and interests. Each participant will receive one-on-one or small group instruction from trained volunteers and credentialed educators who are equipped with evidence-based strategies aligned with the science of reading and culturally responsive pedagogy. Our tutors will assess each student’s strengths and challenges to create customized learning plans that target foundational reading and writing skills while also fostering confidence and motivation. Sessions will be held both in person and online to ensure flexible access for working families. The program will include regular progress monitoring, family communication, and enrichment opportunities such as creative writing exercises and guest author talks. By expanding our reach, we aim to address educational inequities, close achievement gaps, and ensure that more students not only meet grade-level expectations but also develop a lifelong love of learning. This grant will allow us to recruit more tutors, extend tutoring hours, serve more neighborhoods, and enhance our instructional resources and tools.

Los Angeles County will be benefit from significantly improved literacy rates among participating students, resulting in measurable gains in academic performance, including higher reading levels, improved writing skills, and better overall classroom engagement. Students will also develop greater confidence and a stronger sense of agency in their learning, contributing to a more positive attitude toward school and their future goals. By strengthening foundational literacy, we help students build the skills needed for lifelong success in education and employment. As we refine and document best practices and outcomes, we plan to scale the program across Los Angeles County, focusing on neighborhoods with the greatest need. Our long-term goal is to establish a sustainable, replicable model for free, high-impact literacy tutoring that can be implemented through partnerships with schools, libraries, and community organizations, to promote educational equity countywide.