Let’s Read Together San Antonio
to support children and educators in our community
The Leaders Readers Network (TLRN) is an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves educators and classrooms to boost literacy across San Antonio and the state of Texas. Our mission is to create a network of leaders who provide books, supplies and projects to support early literacy at Title I schools. TLRN is dedicated to equitable education and literacy for all students. Each school year, we partner with educators, students and community members to provide over 50,000 brand new books, service projects, and read -aloud experiences.
How Are We Impacting the San Antonio Community?
In San Antonio, we're making a tangible difference by focusing on where it counts the most—within the heart of our local schools. Our efforts are centered on expanding programs in San Antonio ISD, Edgewood ISD, and Northside ISD, partnering with each district to identify schools and grade levels where we can make the most impact on teacher retention and literacy outcomes. Every year, TLRN will expand its focus on Pre-K through Grade 3 students in Title I schools to focus improving literacy outcomes. The project will support educators and directly impact students throughout the San Antonio region.
These schools, serving predominantly low-income and ethnically diverse communities, have been disproportionately affected by shortages of highly effective educators. For instance, teacher turnover rates are alarmingly high in San Antonio ISD (19.1%) and Edgewood ISD (23.7%), compared to Northside ISD (12.9%). San Antonio ISD, with its 45,780 students, is predominantly Hispanic (96.7%), and the majority (93.4%) are economically disadvantaged. Edgewood ISD, serving 9,148 students, also has a predominantly Hispanic population (89.9%), with 87.6% of its students economically disadvantaged. Both districts face significant challenges: their four-year graduation rates and college-ready graduates in reading are below the state average, while dropout rates are above it.
Moreover, only 53% of students across Texas read at grade level by the 3rd grade—a critical benchmark that determines future academic success. Alarmingly, the numbers are even lower in San Antonio ISD (35%) and Edgewood ISD (29%), with Northside ISD’s Glenoaks Elementary also falling short at 33%.
This literacy crisis is not just a local issue but a state-wide concern. Texas ranks 48th in the nation for literacy, with 25% or more residents in 5 out of 8 Texan counties reading below basic literacy levels—a challenge that begins at a young age. With 1.7 million children in Texas living below the poverty line, access to a variety of culturally relevant books is often out of reach.
But there is hope. With your support, we can bridge this gap. By investing in these students and their educators, we're not just improving literacy rates; we're empowering a new generation of readers and leaders right here in San Antonio. Together, we can change the narrative for thousands of children who deserve the opportunity to succeed.
As TLRN partners with educators, students, and community members to reverse this trend, we need your support.
Now more than ever, this call to action is crucial for San Antonio educators and children. Your support during the Big Give SA will provide essential resources for local teachers through TLRN’s comprehensive literacy services, ensuring that San Antonio’s students thrive. Join us in making a difference—Let’s Read Together San Antonio!
Become a TLRN Read Together Sponsor with a commitment to support San Antonio educators and children:
Support teachers as they instill a love of reading in their students
Give student leaders opportunities to lead book giveaways and read-alouds in peer classrooms
Increase minutes read on a daily basis in sponsored classrooms
Create a community of readers who share the joys and importance of reading
Promote literacy and the joys of reading in our region
Donate today to support educators and their classrooms as we all Read Together San Antonio!
Click here to download and share our #ReadTogetherSA graphics
Corporate sponsors, join our growing network of employee volunteer readers. Email hello@leadersreadersnetwork.org.
Community members, become a volunteer today!
For further questions, visit our FAQ page or email us Hello@LeadersReadersNetwork.org
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