We initiated a strategic partnership with four other foundations: Tiger Foundation, Pinkerton Foundation, Altman Foundation and Benedict Silverman Foundation, to accelerate learning in early literacy for kindergarten to fifth grade students who are striving to read on grade level. As part of this initiative, we supported the implementation of HELPS’ high-dosage tutoring intervention using an evidence-based curricula, HELPS, during New York City’s Summer Rising program in 2021. As a result of HELPS tutoring (for students with pre-and post-test data available), 77.8% improved in oral reading fluency, 74.1% exceeded what may be considered typical reading growth and 67% exceeded expected growth in reading fluency.
We expanded our funding in 2022, allowing HELPS to support at least 530 elementary school students and 125 educators from NYC Department of Education to recruit, train, and coach paid community tutors to provide HELPS 1:1 virtual tutoring to a least 130 NYC elementary school students in grades 3-5 and 2) recruit, train, and coach at least 125 additional NYC educators to implement HELPS with their students and further support approximately 400 students in grades 1-6.