Literacy is the cornerstone of learning. Students who cannot read by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Yet today in Hennepin County, fewer than half of 3rd graders meet reading standards.

The library’s Student Success initiative combines the reach of Homework Help after-school tutoring with the targeted intervention of Let’s Read, personalized literacy coaching for struggling young readers. Together, these programs take concrete steps toward ensuring academic excellence—and lifelong success—for all students.

LET’S READ:
In 2024, Hennepin County Library launched Let’s Read, a groundbreaking collaboration with Twin Cities Reading Partners to offer in-depth, data-based literacy instruction to struggling K-3 readers. We began in 7 libraries, most of which were already hosting our popular Homework Help after-school tutoring, identifying students reading below grade level and helping them make measurable gains in literacy through weekly sessions with trained tutors. The pilot program was so popular that it expanded to four more libraries in 2025 for a total of 11 sites!

Last school year, Let’s Read enrolled 220 students who completed 2,748 tutoring sessions: an average of 12 sessions per student. 81% of participants increased reading proficiency; 53 students reached grade level reading goals and graduated from the program.

In our surveys, 89% of parents said they are very satisfied with Let’s Read tutoring sessions, and 100% say their child feels supported. As one Lead Tutor reported: “The dad of one first grader stated that he feels a lightbulb went off for his son in October. He and his wife are so surprised and pleased that their son is reading easy books to them now and thriving in school. Conferences were drastically different from last year.”

HOMEWORK HELP:
After the school day ends, 18 Hennepin County libraries transformed into vibrant hubs, as students and families excitedly arrived to meet with the library staff and volunteer tutors who mad Homework Help after school tutoring possible. On any weekday, dozens of students could be found in Homework Help libraries working one-on-one with volunteer tutors, studying independently in quiet spaces, using library technology for research and projects, and helping one another with English translation and reading comprehension.

While many families journey to multiple Homework Help sites throughout the week, Plymouth Library staff reported most of their participants are families who had never been involved in Homework Help before, expanding our reach to more students than ever. Last year, Homework Help tutors worked with more than 3,800 unique students who participated in nearly 8,400 sessions!

Lead tutors reported that more and more parents are recognizing the value of Homework Help tutoring to boost achievement in specific areas of need. Many students brought supplemental worksheets and workbooks along with their assigned homework. Other students came to practice reading, especially at the four HH sites that have added Let’s Read pilot programs. Several locations reported more Spanish-speaking students, as word of the program spread in the Latino community.

In recent Homework Help student surveys:
• 97% said that Homework Help has improved their performance in school.
• 98% said Homework Help has given them more confidence in their schoolwork.
• 98% said they feel supported and welcomed at Homework Help.

As one Let’s Read tutor reports: “The dad of one first grader stated that he feels a lightbulb went off for his son in October. He and his wife are so surprised and pleased that their son is reading easy books to them now and thriving in school. Conferences were drastically different from last year.”

“We’ve seen a lot of growth from our regular Homework Help students over the past few months,” one Lead Tutor reported at the end of the school year. “One success story came from a student in 12th grade, who was not sure they would be able to graduate on time with the amount of missing work they had. Throughout the sessions whenever they came in, we were able to work through the missing assignments, helping the student get everything needed to graduate on time!”

“I've seen several students grow in confidence,” writes one Lead Tutor. “One ninth grader we've seen since the beginning of the school year would speak quietly when she arrived. She struggled to answer a question (in English, social studies, and similar classes) without having to check every few words that she wasn't doing something wrong. She's still shy, but by this point in the year, she has begun offering her ideas more assertively, which allows her to complete her homework faster and more independently while giving herself a bit more space to form and express her own perspective.”

“We have a little community of kids and parents who met through Homework Help and have nurtured friendships beyond the library,” reports a Lead Tutor. “This is wonderful to see because it helps make the space feel even more positive and welcoming to new students – and our numbers have been increasing! Long-time students are also helping newer students get used to the expectations of the program, the resources in our Homework Help area, the library spaces, etc. And a few long-time students have said they aspire to be tutors with us one day!”

yes, of course

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