June 14, 2026
Read On Communities
Read On Arizona supports local literacy efforts through a network of Read On Communities that work with a wide array of local stakeholders to coordinate and maximize their efforts to improve school readiness and early literacy outcomes in their communities.
Here are some recent highlights.
Read On Santa Cruz County: Family Literacy Hub, Convening Education Leaders
Santa Cruz County's Project FELT (Cultivating Family Engagement and Igniting Early Literacy for Santa Cruz Families) literacy hub has been renewed to continue to bring vital early literacy resources to children birth to age 5 and their families. Housed in the County Superintendent's Office –- community lead for Read On Santa Cruz County – the literacy hub supports families through: library & mobile literacy programs that bring books, early learning activities, and internet access to libraries countywide and directly into rural communities through the SantaCruzer mobile literacy van; family resource centers offering parenting, caregiver, and kindergarten readiness programs; and the Books Save Lives reading program, which trains parents and community members to improve early literacy outcomes.
In April, Read On Santa Cruz County convened an Educational Leadership Forum, led by Superintendent Donnelly, to help school districts, charter schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations align on regional educational strategy. In celebration of Early Childhood Education Month, Jennifer Argyros of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Family Resource Centers facilitated a panel featuring local parents sharing stories of the positive impact of Head Start, home visitation, and early intervention services.
Read On Mesa: Family Engagement for Literacy
On April 11, 2026, Read On Mesa brought literacy to life at Mesa's Celebrate Mesa Spring Fling festival at Pioneer Park, including "Literacy Lane," a dedicated space offering read-aloud sessions, interactive literacy activities for kids, library card sign-ups, and information on free tutoring programs. The Mesa Public Library's Read Runner bookmobile made a special appearance, connecting families with community reading resources and volunteer opportunities. The event marked a major expansion of Read On Mesa’s efforts to strengthen childhood reading outcomes and family literacy engagement across the city.
Read On Tempe: 20 Years of Experience Corps
The City of Tempe, community lead for Read On Tempe, recently celebrated 20 years of AARP Foundation Experience Corps, its evidence-based tutoring program in which community volunteers over 50 provide ongoing, individualized support for students in kindergarten through third grade who are below grade-level reading benchmarks. Tutoring sessions are focused on improving fluency – the ability to read accurately, smoothly, with expression and comprehension – an important foundation for further growth in reading and learning. Tempe’s Experience Corps program is a national model that has supported more than 5,700 students since its inception in 2006.
Read On Flagstaff: Professional Development in the Science of Reading
Read On Flagstaff has an exciting professional development opportunity for educators this fall. Coconino County Education Service Agency is offering a no-cost, 90-hour LETRS course that fulfills requirements for Arizona’s K-5 Literacy Endorsement. Funding is provided through the federal Secure Rural Schools Program. Courses begin in September but satisfy the August 1, 2026 deadline. Educators interested in taking advantage of this free opportunity can find more information and registration details here.
Read On Pima County: Myth Busting and Support for Educators
In May, Read On Pima County hosted an information session with Linda Burrows of the Arizona Department to address common questions and misconceptions around the K–5 Literacy Endorsement. Key takeaways: ADE currently offers free online coursework and funding support for the endorsement exam; and the Pearson exam has been updated to a "chunked" format, allowing educators to retake only the sections they don't pass. Additional, Pima Community College, a partner in Read On Pima County, is offering both virtual and in-person test prep through a Summer AEPA 890 Crash Course to help educators prepare. Watch the FAQ & Myth Busting Session here.
