Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when students are supposed to go from learning to read to reading to learn. It’s America’s number one education crisis and we know how to fix it.
Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches every student the foundational skills they need to become a confident, fluent reader. We pair students who need extra support with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes their decoding gaps. We focus on the foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—kids need to master so they can decode a sentence. Students in Ignite Reading’s program achieve over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, and notably all students achieve the same outstanding results including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch.
Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation. We believe we can do well for our team members and shareholders while we solve one of the nation’s biggest challenges. We believe we will be more successful with a diverse team and are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Your Role
Ignite Reading is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Policy Research and Communications Intern to support our efforts in advocating for evidence-based literacy solutions. This role will focus on research, policy analysis, and communications to drive our mission of improving early literacy outcomes. The intern will work closely with the Policy Director and other team members to develop materials, monitor legislative developments, and contribute to outreach efforts.
The Policy Research Intern will gain hands-on experience in education policy, advocacy, and strategic communications. By the end of the internship, they will have a strong foundation in policy research, education advocacy, and strategic communication, preparing them for future roles in policy, research, and public affairs. This is a part-time internship with a duration of 3 months.
Key Responsibilities
Research and Policy Analysis:
- Conduct research on state and federal education policies, with a focus on early literacy and high-dosage tutoring.
- Analyze legislative trends, funding opportunities, and barriers to program implementation in target states.
- Assist in conducting a 50-state survey of funding models and policy barriers.
Communications Support:
- Help draft policy briefs, white papers, and advocacy materials to support Ignite Reading’s initiatives.
- Create infographics, one-pagers, and other visuals to effectively communicate key messages.
- Assist in preparing presentations for policymakers, stakeholders, and advocacy groups.
Legislative and Stakeholder Monitoring:
- Track state and federal legislation, budget hearings, and policy developments relevant to Ignite Reading’s goals.
- Monitor education committee activities and provide updates to the Policy Director.
Administrative and Event Support:
- Support planning and execution of webinars, policy briefings, and stakeholder meetings.
- Assist with organizing and maintaining policy-related resources and databases.
Qualifications:
- Current undergraduate or graduate student in Public Policy, Education Policy, Political Science, Communications, or a related field.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize policy information and track legislative trends.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in policy writing preferred.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic design tools (e.g., Canva) a plus.
- Familiarity with state and federal legislative processes is helpful but not required.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate in a remote environment.
- Passion for education policy and advancing literacy equity.
Please note that we cannot hire individuals who live in California, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, or the District of Columbia for this position.
At Ignite Reading, we’ve decided to embrace a transparent compensation structure for a few reasons:
To promote fairness and equity: This approach supports fairness within our structure. When everyone knows how compensation decisions are made, it reduces the likelihood of pay discrimination based on factors like gender, race, relationships, or negotiation skills.
To provide accountability for our approach: The same role receives the same compensation, with no negotiation.
To build trust within the organization: When employees understand how their compensation is determined, they are more likely to trust organizational structures and decisions, which can lead to an overall better culture.
To support legal considerations: Many states are moving to requiring compensation listed on job descriptions and we want to follow these rules.
Compensation: $22/hr for a total of 10-15 hours/week (this is a part-time, non-exempt position that will last 3 months)
We believe in building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all applicants are considered for employment without attention to color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria – unlike majority candidates meeting significantly fewer requirements. We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested!
We are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a virtual organization with headquarters in the California Bay Area.
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What We Do
When kids learn to read on time their opportunities in school and life improve profoundly. If a child cannot read by the time they are in third grade, they are four times less likely to graduate high school.* In 2022, only 33% of U.S. fourth graders and 31% of eighth graders were reading at grade level (National Assessment of Educational Progress reading assessment scores). Ignite Reading is on a mission to fix this.
Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches K-8th graders the foundational skills they need to become confident, independent readers. We pair developing readers with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes decoding gaps. Students across all demographics achieve the same outstanding results–an average of 2.4 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction–including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch. By ensuring all students master the foundational skills to fluently read any word, Ignite Reading empowers them to move forward and unlock everything school and life have to offer.
"Ignite Reading is one of the most, if not the most, successful interventions we have implemented in our district. The student results and program design are indisputable."
- Claudia Salvestrin, Assistant Superintendent, Red Bluff Union Elementary School District, CA
