Donations generously matched by the Devereaux Family Foundation
Reading Partners believes in the power of reading to spark learning, curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking that will ultimately empower students in all walks of life. Since 2012, Reading Partners North Texas has served over 10,000 students, ensuring they have the skills necessary to be successful while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the future vibrancy of our community.
We serve as a structured, evidence-based tool in our community’s educational toolbox, empowering young students to read, think critically, and develop a lifelong love of learning. We help students unlock their strengths and the potential that is too often overlooked due to systemic inequities. When students learn to read, doors open—in their communities and far beyond.
Our program
Our programming takes place in dedicated school-based reading centers—typically classrooms transformed into dynamic, literacy-rich environments. Each center is fully stocked with a diverse range of children’s literature, tutor-student workstations, and literacy materials. Principals and teachers identify students most in need of support for enrollment, with referrals accepted throughout the year. Over 90% of the students at the schools we serve are experiencing economic disadvantages, and 100% are not reading at grade level.
In the 2025-26 school year, Reading Partners is excited to adopt an Enhanced Program Model: our traditional one-to-one volunteer tutoring program combined with 2:1 small group tutoring led by an AmeriCorps member with specialized training. Small group sessions may take place in the reading center or as classroom push-ins, depending on the school's needs. This dual approach enables us to serve more students—raising the average from 40 to 65 or more per school—all while maintaining the personalized, high-quality instruction our program is known for.
A typical lesson
Each student participates in two 45-minute tutoring sessions per week following lessons from our research-based curriculum aligned with the science of reading. Our curriculum, designed for use by volunteers with little to no prior experience, includes five progressive levels that support mastery of grade-specific literacy skills. Kindergarten through second-grade students build foundational reading skills, while third and fourth graders focus on fluency and the comprehension skills needed for grade-level proficiency.
We assess students three times annually to measure progress, inform instruction, and adapt reading plans. Community volunteers are recruited, trained, and coached throughout the year to serve as the backbone of our program.
Hear from our volunteers
“I had a kindergarten boy who was performing well except that if he came to a word he did not recognize when read, he would say, ‘I don't know.’ I told him it was all right, not to know a word, but that he should try to pronounce the word using the skills he had learned. The next word he came to, he stopped, broke it down, and pronounced it correctly with a huge smile on his face. Since then, he has not used the phrase, 'I don't know.'” - John Daniel, Reading Partners North Texas tutor
“There's this moment when a child ‘gets it’, and you can see the moment they understand. It's a little bit of magic!“ - Carolyn Cantrell, Reading Partners North Texas tutor
“I have been working with my student for weeks on short vowel sounds, making silly noises to try to spark recall, and going through tons of flashcards. For the first few weeks, there did not seem to be a ton of connection and understanding, but finally, you could see things click, and my student was nailing every letter and sound, every time! I could tell my student was so proud that they had finally conquered the mountain that was short vowels. Now onto the long vowel sounds!” - Abby Wilkinson, Reading Partners North Texas tutor
Reading Partners' mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering community volunteers to provide individualized instruction that produces measurable results. Our vision is that all children will have the literacy skills they need to reach their full potential.
Children have big dreams for their futures.
We have big dreams, too. We envision a world where all children have strong literacy foundations and are empowered to pursue their dreams. But we can’t do it alone.
Will you help make dreams come true? Donate to Reading Partners.
Reading is a civil right, and every child deserves the opportunity to become a strong, confident reader. Yet far too many students—especially those in historically marginalized and under-resourced communities—do not have equitable access to the literacy support and resources to fully realize their great potential. Reading Partners exists to help change that reality. Together with schools, families, and community partners, we provide students with individualized support, culturally relevant materials, and encouragement to realize the power of reading.
Guided by research and grounded in partnership, we advance educational access and equity through the following commitments:
-Expanding access to literacy tutoring and family engagement programs so more students have the tools to succeed in school and beyond.
-Providing diverse and representative books and materials that reflect students’ cultures, languages, and experiences.
-Investing in AmeriCorps members as mentors and leaders, equipping them to serve as role models and community builders alongside our students.
-Embedding responsive and reflective training and organizational practices, ensuring that students have safe spaces to learn in affirming, supportive environments.
When every student—regardless of race, language, or zip code—can benefit from a high-quality literacy education, our whole society thrives from the talents, voices, and potential of the next generation.
View our current participation opportunities.
In-Person Volunteering
Volunteer in North Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth
Organization name
Reading Partners
Causes
Education - K-12
Operating Budget
$1,000,000 - $2,999,999
Counties Served
Dallas, Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
7950 Elmbrook Dr