Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Ignite Reading for one-on-one virtual literacy instruction to The Big Lift students
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the waiver of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and authorizing the execution of an agreement with Ignite Reading for The Big Lift partners to access virtual literacy instruction to students for the term of August 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for an amount not to exceed $480,000.
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BACKGROUND:
In Spring 2026, Human Services Agency (HSA), and The Big Lift (TBL), partnered with four school districts to launch an innovative High-Impact Tutoring pilot. The program provided daily, individualized virtual reading instruction to 130 students identified as at-risk of falling behind in literacy. Through close collaboration, participating districts refined the program in real time, demonstrating the effectiveness of a coordinated, countywide approach.
The pilot produced significant gains within a few months. The number of participating students reading at a kindergarten level dropped sharply from 89 to 6, while those demonstrating first-grade foundational reading skills increased from 40 to 93. Additionally, 20 students advanced to second-grade literacy levels, and educators reported improvements in student confidence and classroom engagement.
Building on these strong outcomes, TBL will expand the program during the 2026–27 school year to serve 371 students across six school districts. This expansion is funded by a State Resource Grant awarded to TBL, County-approved Measure K funds, and a matching investment from a local philanthropic partner, leveraging public resources to extend the reach and impact of this evidence-based intervention.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting that the County execute an agreement with Ignit...
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