Business Details
23 Years
experience
Engaging After-School Literacy & Math Programs
LitART is a dedicated provider of evidence-based after-school enrichment programs designed to enhance literacy and math achievement for students from elementary to high school. Our programs combine award-winning books, research-backed teaching strategies, and social-emotional learning to create engaging educational experiences. With over 126,000 students impacted nationwide, we partner with schools, community organizations, and families to deliver customized curricula that address diverse learning needs. Our team of educators and curriculum specialists brings decades of experience in literacy development, instructional design, and educational research. We prioritize measurable outcomes, with documented improvements in reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills across participating schools.Through grant-writing support and professional development, we empower educators to implement effective extended learning programs. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our patented methodologies and partnerships with institutions like Harvard University. We maintain rigorous quality standards through continuous program evaluation and alignment with state and national academic benchmarks. Our mission remains focused on transforming student engagement and academic success through creative, data-driven educational solutions. As a socially responsible organization, we actively support underserved communities and advocate for equitable access to high-quality learning resources.
Services
After-School Literacy
Math Enrichment
Writing Curriculum (WERD)
STEMLiteracy Programs
Grant Writing Support
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in evidence-based literacy program development
- Our team includes former classroom teachers and curriculum specialists
- We provide grant-writing assistance for 21st Century Learning Center funding
- Our programs demonstrate measurable improvements in reading fluency and comprehension
- We combine educational research with creative response activities for student engagement
What people say
Increased reading fluency
Enjoy reading more
Perfect pace
Improved presentation skills
Effective teaching strategies
Services
HELP Foundations
Our early literacy curriculum teaches foundational reading skills through phonemic awareness, fluency, and vocabulary activities. Based on the science of reading, it includes parent support materials and aligns with educational standards. The program has demonstrated measurable improvements in literacy skills across multiple assessments.
LitART Elementary
After-school math programs connect award-winning books with learning games and projects to build mathematical understanding. Aligned with standards, our evidence-based approach improves student achievement through engaging, hands-on activities that reinforce classroom learning concepts.
WERD Curriculum
Comprehensive writing curriculum featuring text responses, writing games, skill lessons, and free-writing prompts. Designed to build writing proficiency through structured instruction and creative expression, with embedded assessment tools to track student progress over time.
STEMLiteracy
Informational text curriculum that builds comprehension and critical thinking skills in science and math content areas. Features step-by-step teaching guides and award-winning books to develop close reading skills aligned with educational standards.
NOW Program
After-school literacy program combining informational texts with creative response activities for middle school students. Uses award-winning books and teaching strategies to increase learning engagement and academic achievement in reading comprehension.
People
Paul Ahrens
Founder & President
Paul founded Global Learning in 2003 to create effective literacy programs. He holds a Master's in Education and has trained over 5,000 educators. His career includes roles at RMC Research and Multnomah County Public Library, focusing on literacy development and educational research.
Faye Cadeniz
Director of Curriculum and Learning
Former elementary school teacher with a bachelor's in English. Specializes in curriculum development and literacy instruction. Brings classroom experience and book expertise to our educational programs.
Ted Fauxier
Vice President of Client Services
Customer service professional with 10+ years experience. Currently pursuing a Master's in business while managing client relationships and supporting youth programs.
Alison Lanigan
Curriculum and Training Specialist
15-year veteran of Portland Public Schools with a Master's in Education. Focuses on reading and math instruction, bringing practical classroom experience to curriculum development.
Beth Fridh
Communications Coordinator
Communications professional with a decade of education experience. Holds degrees in English and New Media Studies. Manages outreach and educational content creation for our programs.
Questions
What age groups do your programs serve?
Our programs serve students from early childhood through high school, with specialized curricula for elementary, middle, and high school learners.
How do you measure program effectiveness?
We use embedded assessments tracking reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. 85-96% of students show improvement across these metrics according to our evaluations.
Do you offer grant writing assistance?
Yes, we specialize in helping schools apply for 21st Century Learning Center Grants to fund extended learning programs and staff development.
What makes your literacy programs unique?
Our programs combine award-winning books with evidence-based teaching strategies and social-emotional learning for comprehensive student development.
Are your curricula standards-aligned?
All programs align with state and national academic standards, including Common Core State Standards for literacy and mathematics.
