Elementary literacy solution expanding nationally

Successful Elementary Reading Solution Welcomes First Executive Director;
National Literacy Nonprofit Opens Florida Office

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Elementary literacy nonprofit, Future Forward, welcomes its first executive director, Kate Bauer-Jones.

Bauer-Jones will lead implementation, evaluation, and expansion of Future Forward’s research-proven early literacy program. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Future Forward is a data-driven reading intervention currently in the replication stage of development at 14 school sites in three states.

Future Forward helps struggling early elementary-age children develop the necessary reading and literacy skills to keep up with their peers. An external evaluator using a randomized control trial is evaluating the program’s impact as it is replicated in new environments. In earlier random control trial evaluation, the program model was proven to be highly effective at improving student’s reading achievement (six-times more likely to reach benchmarks) and increasing school attendance (27%), by integrating one-on-one tutoring and family engagement. The program meets the “strong evidence definitions” laid out by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is included in the Department of Education’s “What Works Clearinghouse,” and received the highest possible rating from the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.”

Serving hundreds of children and counting, Future Forward is growing beyond participating sites to help address the substantial unmet demand for a cost-effective literacy intervention that has a proven effect serving struggling readers. Districts and schools interested in learning how to bring this program to their students and families are welcome to reach out and invite the Future Forward team to meet with their communities. As the program expands, new executive director Bauer-Jones will work with school district elected officials, superintendents, state boards of education, and diverse education professionals to introduce Future Forward’s successful model to more schools across the country.

Bauer-Jones has a broad range of applicable experience. Her teaching background includes a New York City Teaching Fellowship, and teaching special education at both private and public schools in Florida. She has worked with out-of-school programs including YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs, and has served with United Ways in the Suncoast region of Florida and as President and CEO of United Way of the Florida Keys. Most recently, Bauer-Jones worked with the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas, engaging diverse stakeholders including business, families, and many partners in the nonprofit sector. She received a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s degree in Education Management and Innovation.

To learn about bringing Future Forward to your community, Bauer-Jones can be reached at kbauerjones@edanalytics.org or 608.535.9174.