Striving Readers
Agenda for Children is working in partnership with FirstLine Schools through the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) program. SRCL is a comprehensive literacy initiative focused on ages birth through 12th grade funded by the Louisiana Department of Education. Agenda for Children’s role is to focus on improving pre- and emerging literacy skills of young children in child care centers and pre-K classrooms.
Two key components of this work are:
- to create literacy-rich environments in centers and pre-K classrooms through professional development coaching and trainings, and;
- to engage parents and families in being active participants in their child’s learning and growth through literacy-based parent and family events and opportunities.
The SRCL program started in July 2012 and in the first year, Agenda for Children is working with FirstLine Schools John Dibert and Langston Hughes Academy, and 5 child care centers, including Wilcox Learning Academy, Kids of Excellence, Rainbow Academy, Open Minds Open Hearts Daycare and Kingsley House.
Tara McDonald is Agenda for Children’s Early Childhood Literacy Coordinator. Tara is a Teach for America Alumna, and was part of the founding school teams at Akili Academy and KIPP Believe Primary. As a former kindergarten teacher, Tara is passionate about instilling a love of learning and reading in all children.
Please visit this page in future months to learn about the progress and activities of this program. To reach Tara McDonald, please email tmcdonald@agendaforchildren.org.