We are thrilled to be piloting a new texting program in collaboration with our national affiliate, Raising A Reader, and the Ready4K team. This three-year pilot will provide families enrolled in our Red Book Bag program with fun facts and easy tips to help their children grow directly to their phones.

Ready4K is an evidence-based family engagement curriculum delivered via text messages. Families will receive three text messages a week, including Raising A Reader specific content once a month. The year-round, whole-child curriculum has been shown to improve child outcomes in literacy and other key areas of development.

Beyond that, our partners have been happy to jump on board because it aligns with existing educational frameworks, including Head Start and Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

So far, we are reaching about 150 families in Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. At the beginning of 2020, we plan to launch with partners in Holyoke, Springfield, and Brockton.

Learn more about Ready4K here.

This project builds upon existing efforts at Raising A Reader MA to provide supplemental text messages to families. Last year, 800 parents and caregivers enrolled in our three-month texting program, which complements in-person parent and caregiver workshops to coach families in interactive reading strategies that support the healthy development of their little ones.

We’re excited to see what we can accomplish together over the next three years through this new strategic initiative.