Family Engagement and Early Literacy
in California Schools
Raising a Reader gives California schools a turnkey, evidence-based early literacy and family engagement program that aligns with state priorities and funding while delivering consistent results across classrooms, grades, and sites.
Why California Schools Choose Raising a Reader
- Built for California: Aligns with state literacy goals and state and federal funding opportunities
- Consistent Across Sites: One model that scales across schools, TK, pre-k and childcare centers, libraries, and more.
- Real Home-School Connections: Families get simple, repeatable routines that boost reading at home.
- Designed for Diverse Communities: Bilingual materials and supports for English Learners and multilingual families.
- Proven Results: After RAR families are reading, on average 121 minutes per week., compared with on average, 52 minutes per week before implementing RAR.
📍 Upcoming Webinar Details
January 22, 2026
Choose the best time for you!
12:30 – 1:00 PM PT
5:00 – 5:30 PM PT
What Implementation Looks Like
- Classic Red Book Bag weekly book rotation or Home Library Programs
- Bilingual books and family communication tools
- Training for teachers and site coordinators
- Flexible models for TK–2, special education, charter and community schools
- Optional math and summer learning add-ons
Funding Guide
This guide shows California school and district leaders exactly how peers are funding Raising a Reader using existing dollars. Use it to move quickly from interest to a viable funding plan.
What’s Inside
- Quick snapshot of RAR impact and outcomes
- How RAR maps to California literacy, math, and family engagement priorities
- Funding pathways, including:
- Title I and Title III
- Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P)
- Educator Effectiveness and Learning A–G Block Grants
- LCFF priorities and County Office supports
- Philanthropic and corporate partners in California
- Sample language you can plug into LCAPs, grants, and proposals
Use this guide to identify the fastest, most realistic funding path to bring Raising a Reader to your California students.
We’re here – reach out to us at hello@raisingareader.org with any questions, or just to say hi!