Initiative aims to boost reading skills of underserved elementary school students

Curry College is launching a new initiative to help enhance literary skills for elementary students. This initiative is made possible by a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) and Literations.

The Aicardi Early Steps literacy initiative is aimed at significantly enhancing reading skills for underserved Boston communities. Funded by Curry alumnus Tom Aicardi and his family, the initiative addresses critical gaps in early learning — reading and writing — through focused tutoring and community support.

The partnership responds to statewide concerns regarding literacy proficiency, highlighted by data showing that only half of Massachusetts third graders meet the state’s literacy benchmarks.

The disparities are even more prominent among Black and Hispanic students. This targeted initiative seeks to counter these inequities through evidence-based reading interventions, initially starting with a one-year pilot program at BGCB’s Edgerley Family South Boston Club and Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club.

Tom Aicardi, reflecting on his personal experiences, said, “As someone who grew up in a very under-resourced neighborhood in Boston and struggled as a young child in the public school system, having an after-school program like this would have been a game changer for me. My family wants to give every child in these Boston areas a chance to increase their literacy skills so they can excel in life.”

The initiative’s comprehensive approach involves expanding and renovating Literations’ high-impact tutoring model at the selected BGCB sites. This effort aims to reach at least 100 students in grades one through four who are currently reading below grade level. According to Literations data, students who receive Literations tutoring typically gain 1.5 grade levels in reading over a school year.

A young student at a Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston enjoys a reading session during after-school hours. BGCB is one of the key partners in the Aicardi Early Steps literacy initiative aimed at closing reading gaps in underserved communities. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BOSTON

Giordana Basta, interim assistant provost at Curry College, emphasized the long-term benefits of investing in early literacy. “Investing in early literacy is one of the most impactful ways we can improve lifelong academic and economic outcomes,” Basta said. “We are honored to partner with two of Boston’s most respected youth-serving organizations to ensure more children enter fifth grade as confident, proficient readers.”

A cornerstone of the initiative will be rigorous literacy training provided by Curry College faculty to all staff and volunteers involved. This training, grounded in current brain research and effective teaching methods, ensures participants can deliver tailored, impactful instruction.

Additionally, the program includes enhanced family engagement efforts to strengthen home-based support for reading development. Curry College will introduce “Purple Pass” experiences to expose young learners to college life, inspiring long-term educational goals.

“We’re not just teaching kids to read, we’re equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in school and in life,” said Robert Lewis Jr., Nicholas president and CEO of BGCB.

“Literacy unlocks imagination, fuels self-worth, and creates the foundation for future success. This partnership with Curry College and Literations delivers an educational model rooted in equity, excellence, and hope.”

Recent BGCB data shows that 99% of high school seniors at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston graduate, compared to an 80% rate among Greater Boston youth overall.

They also note strong expansion: BGCB reaches 22 of 23 Boston and Chelsea neighborhoods, serving over 13,000 young people annually.

Research shows the effectiveness of structured, frequent tutoring sessions in yielding notable literacy improvements among elementary students. Literations, known for its proven one-on-one tutoring methods, will oversee this component of the Curry literacy intervention, utilizing trained volunteers and staff to boost student confidence and reading proficiency.

Wes Enicks, executive director of Literations, highlighted the critical need for accessible literacy resources. “At Literations, we believe every child, regardless of zip code, deserves the chance to become a confident reader,” he said. “This partnership amplifies our existing literacy model in after-school spaces, reaching students who too often fall through the cracks.”

Faculty and students from Curry College’s Department of Education will actively participate in curriculum design, training, and program evaluation. This direct involvement not only enriches the program but also nurtures future educators and literacy specialists.

Set to launch in fall 2025, the pilot program represents the first phase of a broader ambition to expand across additional BGCB Club locations in the coming years.

Literations will run volunteer information sessions in summer 2025, followed by pre service training in August/September, with tutoring assignments launching in October 2025.

Volunteers — primarily older adults aged 50-plus — commit to these noble causes and often continue tutoring across multiple years — well above industry norms

The initiative will also feature collaborative community events hosted by the Aicardi family to encourage volunteerism and community-building.

This strategic collaboration among Curry College, BGCB and Literations represents a significant investment in the educational and socioeconomic futures of Boston’s young learners, aiming to transform early literacy outcomes and create a generation of confident, capable readers.