Greater Austin Reading Coalition

E3 Alliance and GARC

Empowering Lifelong Readers Across Greater Austin

The Greater Austin Reading Coalition (GARC), convened by E3 Alliance, unites and supports the early literacy community in Greater Austin to ensure all children are proficient and engaged readers by third grade. 

This diverse network supports the local literacy community to ensure all students from kindergarten to third grade, especially those most affected by inequitable systems, are reading on grade level by the end of third grade.  

“Austin Public Library is excited to be an active member of the Greater Austin Reading Coalition. Our library services and resources for school-age children are designed to develop readers and empower parents and caregivers as the child’s first teachers. Along with other individuals and organizations in the community, we can find solutions to ensure all children are reading on grade level.” 

— Dana Conners, Austin Public Library 

Empowering readers

Our Community’s Reality

Data
Central Texas
Disparities exist in educational outcomes by race/ethnicity. Only 38% of Central Texas Black students and 40% of Hispanic students met 3rd grade reading standard in 2022.
Percent of students that met standard on STAAR grade 3 Reading, by race/ethnicity, 2022, Central Texas
38% of black students and 40% of hispanic students met 3rd grade reading standards in Central Texas. Asian students met reading standards at 80%, whereas white students met standards at 70%.
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of STAAR reading data from the Education Research Center at The University of Texas at Austin
Data
Central Texas
Central Texas students from low-income households met 3rd grade reading standard half as much as students not from low-income households.
Percent of students that met standard on STAAR grade 3 reading, by household income, 2022, Central Texas
In 2022, only 34% of students from low-income households in Central Texas met STAAR Grade 3 Reading standards. Whereas, 70% of students not from low-income households met reading standards.
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of STAAR data at The University of Texas at Austin Education Research Center​

Our Goals

Family & Community Engagement

Foster a love for reading and learning in students from Kindergarten to third grade in Title 1 schools by supporting families and caregivers to create literacy-rich experiences and environments. 

“As GARC members, we empower parents to feel confident teaching their children to read, which in turn builds a love of learning in children.” 

—Chrysta Naron, President of Read the Room 

High-Impact Tutoring

Identify and implement a high-impact tutoring model to increase kindergarten to third grade reading outcomes in underserved communities in Central Texas. 

Professional Development  

Increase literacy professional development and learning opportunities for coalition partners, educators, and out-of-school time professionals. 

GARC

Our Approach

The Greater Austin Reading Coalition centers the collective impact framework to advance our coordinated, collaborative, and innovative efforts. The framework centers five conditions integrating equity practices to achieve population and systems change. 

A Snapshot of Our Strategies 

  • Expand research-based and proven high-impact tutoring interventions  
  • Foster a love for reading and learning in students  
  • Expand access to books and learning materials with diverse representation  
  • Create a strong network of resources  
  • Secure additional sustainable funding sources 

 

“Joining the Greater Austin Reading Coalition has expanded my vision as a business owner and community stakeholder. The joy of knowing that everything we do positively impacts the lives of children and families is unmatched. The work we are doing is priceless, and the progress we continue to make is because we have a coalition of passionate changemakers.”

—Keocha LaFleur-Anders, Founder and CEO, Coffee Milk Media

Early History

The Greater Austin Reading Coalition was founded in 2021. United Way for Greater Austin convened the coalition until October 2025 when convening leadership transitioned to E3 Alliance. 

Coalition Members

These organizations and individuals share a mutual commitment to improving opportunities for local children by increasing grade-level reading rates in the Greater Austin community: 

  • Coffee Milk Media 

Contact Us

For more information, contact Nwando Clyburn at nclyburn@e3alliance.org. 

Link to GARC Facebook page

GARC Facebook Page

Greater Austin Reading Coalition Strategic Plan 2024-2027

Resource
PDF

GARC Strategic Plan 2024-2027

The Greater Austin Reading Coalition unites and supports early literacy in Greater Austin to ensure all children are proficient and engaged readers by third grade.
Download the 2024-2027 GARC Strategic Plan PDF (1.02 MB)