Successes

Convening Leaders in Early Literacy

RS4G has convened more than 100 community and state education leaders for its Early Literacy Leadership Summit, featuring presentations and discussions on critical components of early literacy. 

RS4G has also convened more than 500 early educators through its Building Bridges virtual conference.

Engaging with Families Through Texting

In 2016, Reading Success by 4th Grade, along with with several community organizations, launched the 413families texting program. The program shares fun and free things to do, reading tips, and giveaways to nearly 4,000 families in Springfield, Holyoke, and surrounding communities.

Supporting Programs that Work

The Funder Collaborative for Reading Success has raised $2.2 million to support early literacy programs aligned with RS4G’s goal and has granted $1.6 million to date.

Engaged Public Housing Communities

Originally guided by The Davis Foundation, the founding organization for Reading Success by 4th Grade, and now administered by the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County and the Springfield Housing Authority, Talk/Read/Succeed brings reading and best practices to public housing authority residents.

Recognized Nationally

Springfield was named an All-America City in 2012 and 2017 by the National Civic League and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for its leadership in helping more young children from low-income families achieve grade-level reading proficiency and early school success.

Springfield was named a Pacesetter Community in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021 by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.