Learn.
Ensuring every Oakland elementary student has the support and resources to read confidently and become better readers..
66%
of 3rd grade students in Oakland are reading below grade level.
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We’re in the midst of a major literacy crisis in America. Nationwide, only 1 in 3 kids are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. There is nothing more essential to a child’s opportunities in life than the ability to read well, but in Oakland, 85% of Black and Latino/a elementary students are not reading at third grade reading levels. Children who do not read proficiently by third grade are 4x more likely to not receive a high school diploma than proficient readers.
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Together with Oakland Unified School District and respected community organizations who have worked to improve these outcomes for years, we are aligned around a common vision to dramatically increase the rates of kindergarten readiness and third grade reading levels.
Eat. Learn. Play. in the News
Closing the Literacy Gap
Reading is the foundation for every child's future, yet just 33% of Oakland students read at grade level. We're committed to changing that. We are investing in high-impact tutoring for over 10,000 elementary students who are furthest behind, and we provide literacy coaching for elementary teachers and tutors across the network, so kids and the adults supporting them both have what they need.
Free Book Distribution to Oakland Students
Eat. Learn. Play. is inspiring a love of reading among Oakland's kids by putting more than 1 million new, culturally relevant, age-appropriate books directly into their hands. We do it through a range of channels: the Eat. Learn. Play. Bus, our Little Town Libraries, restocking school libraries with books kids actually want to read, and free book fairs in elementary schools.
Community Partners
With partners including Oakland Literacy Coalition, DRK, Literati, FluentSeeds, Oakland REACH, Reading Partners, Springboard Collaborative and Oakland Public Library, Black Cultural Zone. Eat. Learn. Play. is uniquely positioned to convene and amplify a collective effort in Oakland to support stronger reading outcomes for its kids.
Partner With Us
Join us by donating to ensure kids have a happy, healthy, and successful childhood.
