Who: All District Reads (ADR) is a non-profit who partners with parents, schools, and local communities to help bridge the literacy gap among elementary school students. ADR provides a shared reading experience designed to create a passion for books and language.

Why: Far too often, students from low-income families come to school at a distinct disadvantage in terms of reading and language proficiency. This disparity causes many of them to struggle in school.

What: ADR engages entire school divisions and involves all their elementary students and their families. A school committee selects a children’s novel and All District Reads provides a book packet to support the selection with content questions and a reading schedule. The parents and/or caregivers read aloud the same book chapter by chapter in their homes.

ADR invites the community to build excitement around the book through partnering activities and incentives in the libraries, museums, and other retail locations. Community members record each chapter to make the books available in audio form.

When: Two times a year: the fall and spring.  

Where: ADR’s program takes place in the homes of all the children. It is supported in the schools by daily trivia questions and daily prizes to help motivate all the children.

Throughout the community, businesses can provide pens, pencils, erasers, and other items for daily prizes. They can also build excitement around the book by providing incentives to visit their business.

Partnerships: ADR initiates partnerships with local civic organizations in the communities of the school division to build excitement and support for the program.

Cost: Just $12 per child, which covers the expense of 2 books and support for the school division. ADR secures the funding for the first two years for all school divisions.

Impact: All children in the school division learn to consume and enjoy words and books. Communities, families, and schools are strengthened as a result of this program.