It is a collaborative effort with the School District and the Free Library of Philadelphia. The 100 Book Challenge is the major instructional approach. The majority of children do not attend quality pre-school. Lack of early childhood education is related to poor school achievement.
Recent research shows that many homes contain an average of less than one book.
If students can't read well by the end of third grade, their chances for later school success are greatly diminished - including a greater likelihood of delinquent behavior and dropping out of school. Low-achieving readers who participate in programs that involve only an hour of reading daily gain 2.66 years in reading in one school year.