Reading Partners Student Social and Emotional Learning Outcomes Evaluation

Reading Partners, a national after-school early literacy program, is dedicated to advancing educational equity for students in communities that have long faced systemic barriers. Recognizing the vital role of social-emotional development in literacy success, the organization implemented a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum to support student growth beyond academic achievement. To evaluate the rollout of this curriculum, Reading Partners hired Omni to conduct a mixed-methods evaluation during its first year of large-scale implementation, amidst the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Omni designed and carried out an evaluation across five cities, focusing on both the implementation process and outcomes for students. This included examining how the SEL curriculum was integrated into existing programming and the impact it had on students’ SEL competencies. The evaluation methodology combined a direct assessment of students' SEL skills and administrative data with surveys of volunteer tutors—who play a central role in delivering the curriculum—and focus groups with AmeriCorps members managing program implementation. The evaluation was formally approved by AmeriCorps, reflecting its alignment with federal expectations for program review.

Through its rigorous and thoughtful approach, Omni helped Reading Partners better understand the curriculum’s influence on students and the experiences of those involved in delivering it. The findings not only provided actionable insights into what worked and where support was needed but also reinforced the value of SEL in promoting holistic student development. This collaborative effort between Reading Partners and Omni underscores the power of data-driven reflection in shaping equitable, community-rooted educational strategies.