Read to Lead Fellowship Program

The Challenge

The Philippines is facing a reading emergency. According to EDCOM II, nearly 9 out of 10 Filipino learners cannot read and understand at grade level. This means millions of children are progressing through school without the most important foundation of learning.

Yet this crisis is also an opportunity. By mobilizing leaders and communities, we can turn the tide. Imagine a future where every Grade 3 child can read with confidence: classrooms transformed, dropout rates reduced, and communities uplifted.

About the Program

The Read to Lead Program is a flagship initiative of the Education Impact Lab, Asian School of Governance (ASG). It brings together mayors, councilors, principals, teachers, parents, youth leaders, HEIs, and barangay leaders to ensure every child can read with comprehension by Grade 3.

This is not just a school initiative—it is a whole-of-community movement for education reform.

Our Methodologies

Read to Lead is powered by three globally recognized approaches to systems change:

• Bridging Leadership – building trust, shared vision, and collaboration among LGUs, schools, and communities.

• Adaptive Leadership – helping leaders face tough challenges, experiment, and adapt to complex realities.

• PDIA (Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation) – breaking down problems, testing small solutions, learning quickly, and scaling what works.

Together, these ensure reforms are inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven.

Program Goals

1. Improve Reading Outcomes – Ensure 90% of Grade 3 learners read fluently.

2. Strengthen Leadership & Governance – Expand and energize Local School Boards (LSBs).

3. Mobilize Communities – Parents, barangays, SKs, SSGs, and PTAs actively support literacy.

4. Empower Teachers – Provide mentoring, recognition, and AI-enabled teaching tools.

5. Leverage Data & AI – Use the Education Leadership Scorecard to track and improve results.

Key Activities

• Literacy Camps: LGUs and barangays host weekend and summer reading sessions.

• Peer Tutoring: SKs and SSGs organize youth-led reading circles.

• Parent Engagement: PTAs lead “Read at Home” workshops.

• Teacher Development: Mentoring programs and AI-supported lesson planning.

• Community Accountability: Annual Scorecard review and Education Compact signing.

Expected Impact

• Every LGU using Education Scorecards annually

• Education Compacts signed by LGUs, schools, and communities

• Year-on-year improvement in literacy rates

• Sustainable literacy ecosystems rooted in shared accountability

FAQ

1. What is the Read to Lead Program?
A flagship initiative of the Education Impact Lab (ASG) to ensure every child reads fluently by Grade 3.

2. Why focus on reading by Grade 3?
Children who can’t read by Grade 3 struggle in all subjects and are more likely to drop out.

3. Who can participate?
LGU leaders, principals, teachers, PTAs, SKs, SSGs, HEIs, parents, and community members.

4. How does the Scorecard fit in?
It is the main governance tool to measure progress and guide reforms.

5. What makes Read to Lead different?
It engages LGUs, parents, and youth, not just schools, and uses AI tools to drive results.

6. How is AI used?
AI helps draft ordinances, analyze data, create infographics, and assist teachers.

7. How can we start?
Convene your LSB, complete the Scorecard, identify 3 priority gaps, and launch a literacy activity.

Get Involved

Join the Read to Lead movement today!

• LGUs: Adopt the framework in your Annual Investment Plan.

• Schools: Set Grade 3 reading targets in your SIPs.

• Parents & PTAs: Volunteer for at-home and school reading sessions.

• Youth Leaders: Run peer tutoring and literacy advocacy projects.

• HEIs & Partners: Provide research, volunteers, and innovations.

About the Education Impact Lab

The Education Impact Lab is one of the education initiatives of the Asian School of Governance (ASG). It accelerates progress toward the Education SDGs by combining leadership development, AI-enabled governance tools, and community-driven innovation. Through programs like Read to Lead, the Lab equips local leaders to close learning gaps and co-create a brighter future for every child.