reportBuilding on the strengths of teachers to create sustainable change

Children’s Literacy Initiative report1

Reading by the end of third grade is a crucial academic

milestone for all children. Being able to read at grade level is

essential for future success in school and beyond and enables

children to be lifelong learners. Not all children are meeting this

critical benchmark—in many of the nation’s poorest areas, only

one in three children does—but we at Children’s Literacy Initiative

(CLI) believe that all children can read by the end of third grade,

and we work with teachers, principals, district leaders and families

throughout the country to ensure that students meet this goal,

regardless of background or neighborhood.

As a national leader in early childhood literacy, CLI builds on

the strengths of teachers by providing them with the training,

coaching and resources they need to become exemplary

literacy instructors. Through CLI’s professional development

and one-on-one coaching, teachers work together to share

effective literacy practices, transform classrooms into

engaging learning environments, and build a school culture of

literacy across grade levels and classrooms. CLI also works

with principals to help them become their schools’ literacy

leaders, and with district leaders to provide support for

professional learning efforts throughout their district.

mission

Children’s Literacy Initiative report2

As the recipient of a $21.7 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant from the U.S. Department of Education in August 2010, CLI is working to

change the culture of entire schools by providing professional development not only to teachers, but also the principals, coaches and other

staff that support them.

CLI has significantly expanded in the last year, serving more than 346 schools across the country. Initial growth was sparked by a federal

Investing in Innovation (i3) grant, which also raised CLI’s national profile, bringing additional opportunities to grow. New funders, such as Target,

became aware of CLI’s impact and have supported our expansion in schools and online.

expansion

Philadelphia 10 Schools

Newark, NJ 15 Schools

Camden, NJ 6 Schools

Chicago 8 Schools

i3 Match DonorsWe know that this extraordinary opportunity would not be available to us without strong support from our philanthropic partners, who contributed a total of $4 million in required matching funds. We are honored to receive major i3 contributions from new partners, such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as well as long-term supporters including the Victoria Foundation, Pine Tree Foundation, CHG Charitable Trust and the Prudential Foundation, all of whom helped us develop our Model Classroom work into the innovative, high-impact program it is today. Please see the Grants and Donations page for more details on our i3 match donors.

The need to expand this training has never been more critical. Acknowledging the impact of

quality teaching, districts are requiring principals to focus more on supporting and developing

teachers’ instructional practice. CLI’s i3-supported project invests in school leaders to

help schools become successful, self-supporting learning communities.

The i3 project builds on CLI’s work in Philadelphia, Chicago, Camden, N.J., and Newark, N.J. In

nearly 40 schools, CLI is training 456 kindergarten through third grade teachers and establishing

156 Model Classrooms, benefiting more than 45,600 students. Results are being externally

evaluated by American Institutes for Research, and CLI will share the findings with a broad

audience of teachers, school leaders, education policy makers and philanthropists.

In each city, CLI’s i3 project focuses on sustaining school-wide change that will extend far

beyond the five-year grant period. Instead of changing literacy instruction one classroom at a

time, CLI’s i3 work will transform one school at a time.

Children’s Literacy Initiative report3

building on the strengths of teachers to create sustainable changeRONICA HUDSON, Third-grade Teacher Thomas H. Dudley Family School, Camden, NJ

Being a CLI Model ClassroomTM teacher has changed the way I teach and has made a

huge difference in my career. I’ve been teaching for over four years, but it wasn’t until I

began working with CLI in 2010 that I truly felt I was able to build my skills as a literacy

educator. Creating a learning environment that fosters respect, empowers language

and community is wonderful. Being a CLI Model ClassroomTM teacher has helped me

do more than just make over my classroom—I’m able to support peer growth by

helping other teachers in my school become stronger educators, sharing with them

the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired through my work with CLI.

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report4

leadership to transform literacy

YOLANDA MÉNDEZ, PrincipalRoberto Clemente School, Newark, NJ

As a principal, I am fortunate to lead a faculty of devoted and professional teachers

who work to help their students reach their full potential. CLI’s Model ClassroomTM

program has helped to reinforce the Professional Learning Community structure in

my school. CLI’s in-school coaching and professional development services have

not only given my teachers additional tools in order to work together to improve

instruction, but have also provided me with added support in order to strengthen

and further develop the collaborative structure in all of our learning communities.

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report5

STEVE ZRIKE, Chief of Elementary Schools, Pilsen-Little Village Network Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Chicago

I regularly visit schools throughout our district and am always amazed and inspired

by the exceptional work being done in schools with CLI Model ClassroomsTM.

Both students and teachers are incredibly engaged in the instruction happening in

these classrooms. Training and CLI’s personalized one-on-one coaching allows

teachers to teach at a deeper level, further developing their students’ reading,

writing and critical thinking skills. We are looking forward to CLI’s expansion in

CPS’ elementary schools, which is helping enhance literacy instruction.

partnerships

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report6

ELIZABETH MENASION, ParentPhiladelphia

As a kindergartener, my son Sammy was placed in a CLI Model ClassroomTM

with a CLI-trained teacher, and throughout the school year, I saw his reading and

writing skills improve. Sammy’s reading level rose above a first grade level during

his first year. The following year, Sammy was placed in a first grade CLI Model

ClassroomTM and he continued to build upon his literacy skills through engaging

work and activities. Sammy enjoyed the various activities and wanted to celebrate

his work because he found it rewarding. At home, I noticed that his vocabulary

expanded exponentially. Sammy now loves to read and I have a hard time getting

him to turn off the light and put the book down at bedtime. CLI helped my child’s

teachers become exceptional educators who helped spark a love of learning

in my son.

family & community involvement

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report7

innovation“ Innovation that Delivers: i3 at Work” was CLI’s first annual national i3 meeting, held in June 2011 in Newark, N.J. The meeting set the stage for CLI to share its work publicly and provided an opportunity to gather teachers, principals and district leaders from several cities and school districts to have a meaningful discussion about practice to help strengthen the work being done across our i3 sites in Camden, N.J., Chicago, Philadelphia and Newark, N.J.

ROGER LEON, Deputy Chief Academic Officer Newark Public Schools, Newark, N.J.

It was an honor to have CLI’s first i3 meeting in Newark. The event was an

opportunity to showcase CLI’s exemplary work with teachers, professional

developers, administrators and literacy coaches in Newark Public Schools

and how CLI Model ClassroomsTM have boosted literacy instruction in our district.

We were also able to learn from other districts working with CLI and share our

experiences with fellow educators. CLI has provided our educators with the skills,

tools and resources to improve literacy instruction in our schools and create a

district-wide environment that emphasizes the importance of teaching our

students strong reading and writing skills.

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report8

call to actionKELLY HUNTER, Ed.D. Executive Director, Children’s Literacy Initiative

At CLI, we want every child in every school to have a great teacher. We know the difference it

makes in a child’s life when he or she learns from a teacher who has the knowledge and skills

to support that child’s individual learning needs and to help each child feel excited about

learning and achieving success. In 20 years of working in some of the nation’s most

challenging school districts, we have proved this again and again: strong teacher practice is

essential to help students reach the critical milestone of reading by the end of third grade.

Entire schools can be transformed when school leaders and teachers work together to improve

how our youngest students are taught to read. With CLI, teachers engage in peer learning to

share their knowledge, skills and practices to improve school-wide literacy instruction. Principals

work with professional developers and coaches to learn how to best lead and create literacy and

leadership communities in their schools. District leaders implement professional development

services and provide support to school leaders and educators to help create sustainable school

and district change. CLI works with educators and leaders at all levels to ensure our youngest students learn the skills they

need to succeed.

We will continue to be a leader in literacy instruction and expand our legacy in schools and districts with the support of educators,

district leaders, policymakers and funders. You can help ensure these important coaching and mentoring opportunities are available

to teachers by making a contribution to CLI. Your gift will not only provide invaluable tools and support to educators, but will be an

investment in all of the children who benefit from our work with schools and districts to become confident, lifelong readers.

“

“

Children’s Literacy Initiative report9

servicesfiscal year 2011

(East) 80

(North) 135

(South) 90

(West) 50

# of persons served by CLI (by receiving materials, coaching, or attending a training):

1,725

CLI coached overteachers, principals and coaches

CLI served over schools

755350

# of students impacted by CLI:

48,300

Over the past 10 years, teachers coached by CLI have taught more than 1 million students.

Total Coaching Hours Delivered:

15,210That’s almost two full years of round-the-clock professional development!

Philadelphia

Newark, NJ

Camden, NJ

Chicago

Children’s Literacy Initiative report10

financialsREVENUE

ANNUAL REVENUE

Private philanthropy (corporations, foundations and individuals)

30.7%

38.7%

EXPENSES

Program

Administrative

Fundraising8.4%

8.7%

82.9%

30.4%

.2%

Government (Investing in Innovation (i3) and federal funding)

Other

School Districts

FISCAL YEAR 2011

REVENUES

School District Contracts $2,060,353

Grants and Contributions $4,709,044

Investment Income $11,527

Total Revenues $6,780,924

EXPENSES

Program $5,587,433

Administrative $582,933

Fundraising $565,362

Total Expenses $6,735,728

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $45,196

TOTAL ENDING NET ASSETS $6,664,361

fiscal year 2011

Millions

$8

$6

$4

$2

$02007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011

Children’s Literacy Initiative report11

thank you

GRANTS AND DONATIONS July 2010 – December 2011

$1,000,000+W.K. Kellogg FoundationU.S. Department of Education

$500,000 – $1,000,000TargetTownsend Press

$100,000 – $499,999AnonymousThe Bank of America Charitable

Foundation, Inc.Allen H. and Selma W. Berkman

Charitable TrustThe Capital Group

Companies, Inc.The CHG Charitable TrustConnelly FoundationHamilton Family FoundationPine Tree FoundationPolk Bros. Foundation, Inc.The Pew Charitable TrustsThe Prudential FoundationVictoria Foundation

$50,000 – $99,999ACE GroupAnonymousOtto Haas Charitable TrustJoel KoppelmanJ.P. Morgan Educational

Collaboration FundSubaru of America

Foundation, Inc.

Wells Fargo FoundationWilliam Penn Foundation

$25,000 – $49,999AnonymousESISLincoln Financial FoundationChristian R. and Mary F.

Lindback FoundationThe PNC Financial

Services GroupVanguard Verizon FoundationBradley and Katherine VogtWestchester Fire Insurance Co.

$10,000 – $24,999AnonymousChicago White Sox Fund of

the McCormick FoundationClaire and Jeffrey BlackCigna FoundationCircle of Service FoundationClaneil Foundation, Inc.The Thomas Skelton Harrison

FoundationJeanne and Dov HaselkornHess Foundation, Inc.Holman Automotive Group, Inc.The Patricia Kind Family

FoundationThe Brook J. Lenfest

Foundation, Inc.

The Levinson Family Charitable Fund

The Walter J. Miller TrustNorth Penn United WayPECOLawrence J. & Anne Rubenstein

Charitable FoundationCaroline J. Sanders Charitable

Trust #2Sunoco, Inc.US AirwaysUS Airways Education

FoundationWells Fargo Bank, N.A.

$5,000 – $9,999The Barra Foundation, Inc.Citizens Bank FoundationDolfinger-McMahon FoundationGlaxoSmithKlineIBM Corporation (gift in kind)Merck & Co., Inc.The Nicholson FoundationPEW Charitable TrustsThe REAM FoundationJoseph Kennard Skilling TrustState FarmPaula Steinebach TrustSTG, INC.The TJX Foundation, Inc.Urban Outfitters, Inc.WEAZ FM Radio, Inc.

$1,000 – $4,999AnonymousDebbie and Michael BloomJan and Robert ChevalierSteve and Susan CollDavid and Lisette Eisendrath

FoundationGovernor’s Woods FoundationCrystal GurinArthur and Judith GurtmanKelly Hunter, Ed.D.Meehee Hwang and

Richard GluckMargaret G. Jacobs

Charitable TrustWilliam JosemLakeshore Learning MaterialsMcAlaine Family FoundationMostafa Family Charitable

Lead TrustPennsylvania Education

Lenders AssociationJagmohan S. RajuStone Family The Helen and Maurice

Weigle FundKate WilsonThe Farny R. Wurlitzer

Foundation

Children’s Literacy Initiative report12

thank you

GRANTS AND DONATIONS July 2010 – December 2011

$250 – $999Alpha Phi Omega –

University of PennsylvaniaAmerican Philosophical SocietyAnonymous (3)AscensusCraig BarkanCarol Beam Deborah BilderBNY Mellon Asset ServicingThe BushwackersDavid DetoraKyle EckenroadBlake FacenteFirst Unitarian Church of

PhiladelphiaJaymi FormaggioCarol FuchsMelvin FuerstWilliam GibsonDavid GoldbergElkan and Linda KatzParker Hannifin FoundationElsa PerezLori SchneiderMichelle SmithClaire SteinbergHelene Van Beuren Gloria WatsonMatthew Wengraitis and Sherri

WilcauskasTony WilliamsCurtis WiseAdam Zurek

Memorial Gifts July 2010 – December 2011In memory of Lavon AlticThe BushwackersIn memory of Ellen Rae Greenberg Ellen MilgrimIn memory of Mary Meehee HwangBeauvoir Elementary SchoolSally CarasRobert and Gene DickmanRebecca DyeFerro Labella and Zucker L.L.C.Arthur and Edythe FidelLindsay C. Foster JohnsonGarvey Schubert BarerAndrew and Deborah GespassRichard GluckFlorence HerrupMatthew HoyerDiane JukofskyMaya LopuchMary Jane MillerBrooke NentwigMeredith PfefferJames H. RichBarbara RichmanSantos, Postal and Company, P.C.Eileen Shields-WestSpencer FoundationDavid Dodge ThompsonPhyllis TiminsLowell TurnballLinda VeblenRobert Weaver Jr.Lily West

In memory of Roslyn LevyWilliam and Rita EckenrodeJudith KronKathy RomanoIn memory of Maryan B. NesbittDRS Defense SolutionsIn memory of Elizabeth RitchieGayle BrownMarcy NeilsonIn memory of Nathan StokesEdward BennerLois KaishIn memory of Candice WiseCurtis Wise

Gifts in honor ($250+) July 2010 – December 2011In honor of Claudia BalderstonMelvin FuerstIn honor of Emma CollSteve and Susan CollIn honor of twelve couplesSpike LipschutzIn honor of Regina ShibleyDavid Shibley

i3 Match DonorsAnonymousAllen H. and Selma W. Berkman

Charitable TrustClaire and Jeffrey BlackDebra and Michael BloomJan and Robert ChevalierThe CHG Charitable TrustHamilton Family FoundationHolman Automotive Group, Inc.

W.K. Kellogg FoundationJoel KoppelmanThe Brook J. Lenfest

Foundation, Inc.The Levinson Family

Charitable FundJudith McHughJ.P. Morgan Educational

Collaboration FundPine Tree FoundationPolk Bros. FoundationThe Prudential FoundationThe REAM FoundationTownsend PressVictoria FoundationWells Fargo FoundationThe William Penn FoundationKate Wilson

CLI had 100% board giving from July 2010-December 2011, including former board members: Claudia BalderstonShauna BinswangerDerrick DickensDarryl FordCarol FuchsVicki LevinsonRuth Williams

Children’s Literacy Initiative report13

leadership

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Andrew BeltonPartner, The Bridgespan Group

Morton Botel, Ph.D.Professor of Education & Child Development University of Pennsylvania, Emeritus

Jolley Bruce Christman, Ph.D.Founder & Senior Research Fellow Emeritus Research for Action

James P. Comer, M.D.Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry Yale University Child Study Center

Linda Darling-Hammond, Ed.D.Charles E. DucommunProfessor of EducationStanford University

The Honorable Dwight EvansPennsylvania House of Representatives

The Honorable Chaka FattahUnited States House of Representatives

Dr. Darryl FordHead of School William Penn Charter School

Pedro A. Ramos, Esq.Trujillo Rodriguez & Richards, LLC

Ralph SmithVice President Annie E. Casey Foundation

Joan SpecterCampaign Director National Constitution Center

Bradley J. VogtChairman Capital Research Company

CHICAGO ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Fran BellVice President of Government & Community Relations YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Albert Bennett, Ph.D.Harold Washington Professor of Education & Public Policy Director of St. Claire Drake Center for African American Studies Coordinator for African-American Studies Major (Sociology & Education) Roosevelt University

Karen Carradine, Ed.D.Executive Director EDUCARE of West Dupage

Megan Deiger, Ph.D.Assistant Research Professor Center for Science & Math Education Loyola University Chicago

Leslie J. DrishDirector of Education Chicago Urgan League

William Teale, Ed.D.Professor of Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction University of Illinois at Chicago

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack McGovern, Ed.D. Chair

Christine S. Beck

Claire B. Black

David J. Bloom, J.D., CFP

Nina Grier

Daniel F. Hayes

Kelly Hunter, Ed.D.Executive Director

Julie Jaffe

Carla P. Maresca, Esq.

Judy B. McHugh, Ed.D.

Elsa Perez

Jagmohan S. Raju

Tony Williams

Kate Wilson

FOUNDER EMERITUSLinda Katz

(as of 5/1/12)

Children’s Literacy Initiative report14

staff

Kelly Hunter, Ed.D. Executive Director

Obi AjubaSouth Events Associate

Ify Ajuba-Ugorji East Project Manager

Heather Ale East Event Associate

Gilbert Aquino Resource Coordinator

Bonnie Asher Senior Writer

Rachel Aucott Development Manager

Lindsey Ball West Project/Event Coordinator

Teresa Caponiti North Project Manager

Rahshene Davis Chief Academic Officer

Sadé Davis South Project Coordinator

Geneve Dupuy Content Adminstrative Assistant

Pat Federman Co-Founder & West Regional Manager

Claire Folkman Human Resources Assistant

Lauren Gentzler External Relations Coordinator

Kristin Haegele Hill Research and Evaluation Manager

Cynthia F. Hanley Manager of Communications

Caryn Henning North Regional Manager

Jana Herko Books Collections Supervisor

Maisha Howard Research and Evaluation Coordinator

Lori Jones South Regional Manager

Mahan-Jiwan Khalsa Human Resources/ Recruitment Manager

Mike King Grant Writer

Katherine Knorr Manager of System Adminstration

Christopher Kretschman Accounting Manager

Jeannie Lee West Project Manager

Virginia Maroun Director of Project Management

Donte McCloud Production Assistant

Stan Melusky Production Manager

Casey Osborn Adminstrative Assistant to the Executive Director

Jordanne Owen Content Development Supervisor

Kelly Phillips East Project Coordinator

Bridget Pullin Content Development Manager

Jacquelyn Roche Content Development Coordinator

Ted Rudofker Assistant Production Manager

Caroline Sacko North Project Coordinator

Christine Soroka South Project Manager

Doug Sudia Office and Information Technology Coordinator

Jessie Taggart Adminstrative Assistant to the Deputy Director

Jill Valunas East Regional Manger

Carlos Vergara Production Assistant

Cameron Voss Deputy Director

Jen Weikert Director of Individual Giving and Strategic Partnerships

Natasha Weisz Adminstrative Assistant for the Professional Development Department

Sherri Wilcauskas, CFRE Director of Institutional Giving and Development Operations

Lawrence Williams Staff Accountant

Mei Zheng North Event Associate

List as of 5/1/12

ChildrensLiteracyInitiative.orgNational Headquarters2314 Market Street, 3rd FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19103215-561-4676215-561-4677 fax

Chicago Office29 South LaSalle StreetSuite 455Chicago, IL 60603312-726-7320

Newark Office634 Frelinghuysen AvenueNewark, NJ 07114973-642-6600