Check out the Reading Partnership’s New Report: Teaching Our Children to Read: A call to action

Check out The Reading Partnership’s New Report: Teaching Our Children to Read: A Call to Action for Literacy Equity in Canada

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn to read — yet for too many children in Canada, that foundational right remains out of reach. In late 2025, The Reading Partnership released a landmark report that sheds much-needed light on the experiences of Black families navigating early literacy in our education system. Teaching Our Children to Read: Understanding the Reading Journey of Black Children in Canada combines lived community voices with research-grounded insights to explore the barriers that prevent children from thriving as readers — and offers a roadmap for change.

Why This Report Matters

Against a backdrop of systemic inequities, this first-of-its-kind study conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation and Black Health Alliance centers the voices of Black caregivers, educators, and community providers. Participants shared firsthand the complex interplay between school practices, systemic bias, and family access to supports — revealing that many children are being left behind not for lack of potential, but for lack of equitable opportunities early in their literacy journey.

Key findings from the report spotlight challenges including:

• Systemic barriers rooted in anti-Black racism that shape school experiences and expectations.

• Institutional gaps such as large class sizes and delayed literacy interventions that hinder early support.

• Sociocultural dynamics where families struggle to navigate school systems lacking culturally responsive practices.

What emerges is a powerful call to action: literacy isn’t just about decoding words on a page — it’s about equity, belonging, and ensuring every family has the resources and agency they need to support their child’s learning.

Solutions and Next Steps

The report doesn’t stop at diagnosis; it articulates clear recommendations across systems, schools, and communities. These include investing in educator capacity to recognize systemic bias, creating more responsive school-community partnerships, and building sustained supports that align with families’ lived experiences.

At its core, the report is rooted in respect — recognizing that families and caregivers are experts in their children’s lives and must be partners in solutions, not passive recipients of support.

Why It’s Important for Literacy Funders and Advocates

Efforts to strengthen early literacy in Canada are gaining traction — and funders play a key role in scaling what works. The Helix Foundation is proud to be among the supporters of organizations like The Reading Partnership that are advancing literacy equity. The findings and recommendations in Teaching Our Children to Read are essential for anyone committed to dismantling barriers and building a more just, inclusive education system.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Reading is more than a skill — it’s a gateway to confidence, opportunity, and participation in community life. With insights from this report, educators, policymakers, funders, and families alike have a stronger evidence base to inform action that truly reflects the needs of Black children and families across Canada.

If you believe, as we do, that every child should have the right and support to become a confident reader, this report is a must-read.