This 2024-2025 school year, in partnership with the IMSE Foundation, Raising Hands Literacy opened a Reading Lab in Highland Park, Jersey. This Reading Lab is an innovative approach to improving literacy rates in schools by combining direct support for students with professional development for educators.
This groundbreaking model is the first of its kind in the country, bridging the gap between student success and teacher empowerment. Together, we’re transforming literacy, one reader at a time.
The Reading Lab provides:
Over 55 hours of free, high impact tutoring for at-risk, struggling readers using research-based instruction.
42 hours of graduate level training and on-site certification in a structured literacy program- all at no cost to the teacher.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Partnering with Raising Hands Tutoring presents a valuable opportunity for our district. This program represents an investment not only in our educators’ professional growth but also in our students’ long-term academic success.”
“The kids are loving being part of this afterschool reading community- I even have kids coming up to me during the day asking to be part of it- they ask me to add them to the waiting list! It’s incredible to see kids (including our struggling readers) excited about after school learning! ”
“Becoming a part of this practicum has been an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as an educator. This program has given me the tools to confidently implement Orton-Gillingham strategies in my classroom, allowing me to better support all my students. I am already using what I have learned in small group settings, and it’s so rewarding to see my students make progress and become more confident readers and writers. Watching their growth reaffirms why this journey means so much to me.”