In its 1985 report, “Becoming a Nation of Readers,” the National Commission on Reading has noted that the single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning kindergarten.

Census and other data from Lowell - made available through our friends at Strategies for Children – remind us of the achievement gap that limits children from reaching their potential in this  community.

Because of this and other factors, Lowell was named one of the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities. As such, the city is receiving special attention and funding to support education improvements.  

Raising A Reader MA’s work in Lowell is part of the Gateway Cities solution. Our partnerships are successfully increasing the rate at which families of young children read with their children at least three times a week by an average of 25% every year. 

Raising A Reader MA in Lowell 

2010 was the first year of programming.

Nearly 700 children and families are currently being served in Lowell.

There are 34 public school classes using Raising A Reader MA:

• Abraham Lincoln Elementary
• Bartlett Community School
• Charlotte Murkland Elementary
• CW Morey Elementary

There are 13 classrooms in 2 child care centers using Raising A Reader MA:

• Children’s Corner
• Children’s Village at the Mill

There are 2 home visiting programs that integrate Raising A Reader MA as part of their intensive, in-home parenting support:

• Thom Ann Sullivan Early Intervention
• Early Head Start home visiting program (through CTI)

Other partners include CFCE Even Start program and 10 family child care providers.