LEP Program
Empowered to Read,
Ready to Lead
A two-generation family literacy initiative that trains parents as Science of Reading partners — so your child doesn't just learn to read, they learn to lead.
9 Weeks Total
4 In-Person, 5 Virtual
K–5th+
Grade focus
Open to All Indy Families
City-Wide
What Is This Program?
Empowered to Read, Ready to Lead is a two-generation (2Gen) initiative by The League of Extraordinary Parents. We believe closing the literacy gap starts at home — so we train parents first.
Through intensive 9-week cohort sessions, families receive Science of Reading instruction, Life Template™ planning, and peer coaching from parents who have already been through the program.
Who Qualifies?
- Child in Kindergarten through 5th grade
- Open to all Indianapolis metropolitan area families
- Able to attend one 90-min in-person session per week
- Able to attend one 60-min virtual session per week
Program Goals
Three measurable outcomes guiding every family through the program.
01
Increase Parent Literacy Knowledge
90% of participating parents will demonstrate increased understanding of Science of Reading techniques, and 85% will consistently implement at least three home-based literacy practices.
02
Improve Student Reading Proficiency
80% of participating students will demonstrate measurable growth in SoR-aligned domains, and 75% will improve reading fluency as measured by pre- and post-reading diagnostics.
03
Build Long-Term Family Planning Capacity
80% of participating families will complete a personalized Life Template™ roadmap, and 90% will report increased confidence navigating school systems and digital platforms.
Your 9-Week Journey
Four weeks of Saturday in-person sessions plus weekday virtual sessions, where parents and students both learn and practice. Then five weeks of virtual-only support—office hours, coaching check-ins, and Life Template™ work as you build momentum at home.
1
Week 1
Phonemic Awareness & Life Template Foundations
Learn how sounds work and why they matter. Introduce the Life Template™—a backward-design framework for planning your child's reading future.
2
Week 2
Phonics & Vision Mapping
Master letter-sound skills and decoding. Map your child's 3-year reading vision and work backward to create a personalized strategy.
3
Week 3
Fluency & Consistent Practice
Build reading speed and expression. Learn to create daily habits that stick—turning intention into sustainable systems at home.
4
Week 4
Comprehension, Leadership & Advocacy
Develop deeper thinking skills and plan your child's path forward. Learn how to advocate confidently at school and in your community.
5
Weeks 5–9
Coaching & Implementation (Virtual Support)
Refine Science of Reading skills through peer coaching check-ins, group office hours, accountability support, literacy habit reinforcement, and deeper Life Template™ work with our coaching team.
What You'll Gain
Every family that completes the program walks away with:
Science of Reading training designed for parents — no teaching degree required
A personalized Life Template™ roadmap for your child's educational future
Skills to confidently advocate for your child at school and with teachers
Community with other families who are on the same journey
Access to LEP's parent peer coaches — trained parents who have been through the program
Tools to close digital access gaps and set up a strong home learning environment
What Your Child Does While You Learn
While you're building your Science of Reading knowledge and planning your child's future, they're actively learning alongside you. Every week includes Saturday in-person stations and weekday virtual sessions designed to reinforce the strategies you're teaching at home.
Literacy Engagement Stations (Saturday)
Interactive activities matched to each week's Science of Reading pillar. Week 1 focuses on phonemic awareness, Week 2 on phonics, Week 3 on fluency, Week 4 on comprehension—the same topics you're learning so you can coach from home.
STEM & Critical Thinking (Saturday)
Hands-on exploration of science and problem-solving. These activities build the thinking skills that fuel reading success.
Guided Reading Activities (Weekday Virtual Sessions)
Small-group supported reading practice during the 45–60 minute weekday virtual sessions. Students practice what they learned on Saturday while parents join virtual coaching and Q&A.
Peer Reading & Accountability (Weeks 5–9)
As the program shifts to virtual, students continue practicing literacy habits at home with check-ins from our coaching team, reinforcing the routines you've built together.
Coached by Parents, for Parents
Every cohort includes trained parent peer coaches — LEP alumni who've been through this exact program with their own children. They co-facilitate workshops, provide culturally relevant support, and show what progress looks like from the inside.
Strengthened by Partnership
The League of Extraordinary Parents is partnering with RISE Indy's Freedom Readers program to support literacy engagement for students in the pilot. This collaboration brings together LEP's parent coaching expertise with RISE Indy's community-based youth literacy support.
Literacy Enrichment Support
Freedom Readers provides specialized youth reading engagement activities that complement what students learn in our concurrent literacy stations.
Youth Reading Engagement Activities
High-quality reading experiences designed by experienced youth literacy educators, reinforcing phonics, fluency, and comprehension strategies.
Community-Based Literacy Expertise
RISE Indy brings deep roots in Indianapolis communities and proven experience supporting young readers—making this program culturally responsive and locally trusted.
Bridging the Digital Divide
We know that not every family has reliable internet or a device at home. During intake, we assess your household's technology access so we can connect you with resources before the program begins. No family starts at a disadvantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
Families with a child in Kindergarten through 5th grade, plus older students who need support, who live in or near ZIP codes 46219, 46226, 46229, or 46235 in Indianapolis, IN.
How long is the program?
Each cohort runs 9 weeks, combining one 90-minute in-person session and one 60-minute virtual session per week. The full program spans two years.
When are the program sessions held?
For Saturday Sessions: We generally recommend mornings or early afternoons, but we are flexible! We will work with you to find a time that best suits your families’ schedules.
For Weekday Sessions: We strive to schedule these outside of standard 9 AM – 5 PM working hours to ensure our parents can attend. The specific day of the week will depend on what fits the families you serve best.
Is there a cost?
The program is free for all participating families. It is supported by grant funding and community partnerships.
Is there a limit on the number of children per family who can participate?
No, we encourage families to enroll all eligible children in the program to maximize the benefits of family-based learning. In the application, you can indicate how many children you have in each grade level, and we will work with you to accommodate them all.
What is the Life Template™?
The Life Template™ is a proprietary backward-design planning framework developed by LEP staff. It helps families map long-term educational goals into clear milestones and action steps.
What happens after I apply?
Our Parent Engagement Specialist will contact you within 5–7 business days to discuss your family's needs, answer questions, and confirm your spot in the next cohort.
What is Indiana's third-grade reading rule?
Indiana law (IC 20-32-8.5-2) requires students to demonstrate grade-level reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade. LEP's program is specifically designed to help families navigate this requirement and support their children's success.
What would we need to provide to bring this program to our school or community center?
To ensure a high-quality experience for everyone, we require access to at least three separate rooms: one for the Parent/Family session, one for the Youth programming, and a dedicated space for younger-child childcare.
The main family space should be a classroom-like setting with tables for note-taking, a screen for presentations, and technology access (such as a laptop connection) to share slides and media.
Can the program be delivered in languages other than English?
Yes. We currently offer full support in Spanish. For families who speak other languages, we are happy to work with you to find a translator so that every parent has the opportunity to lead.
Will there be childcare provided for families with younger children?
Absolutely. We believe a parent’s ability to learn shouldn't be hindered by a lack of childcare. Through our partnership with RISE INDY, we provide a dedicated childcare space—separate from the adult and youth learning areas—where younger children are cared for while you focus on the program.
Do my school or community staff need to help manage or run the program?
No. LEP staff and our dedicated partners handle all programming and logistics from start to finish. Our only requirement is timely access to the designated spaces 30–60 minutes before the session begins so our team can set up and be ready to welcome your families.
I am a teacher or staff member at a partner organization; can I participate with my own children?
Yes, absolutely! we love seeing educators invest in their own families. Because our cohorts are intentionally sized to ensure a personal experience, staff members must also complete the application process to secure a spot for themselves and their children. We welcome you to join us!
Is this program only for families at specific schools or certain ZIP codes?
Not at all! We welcome parents and students from every neighborhood and every school across the city.
My child is in 6th grade or older; can they still participate?
Yes! While our youth curriculum is designed for the foundational literacy needs of K–5th grade students, we believe literacy is a right for every age. If you have an older student who would benefit, please apply! We review these applications and accept older students whenever we have the space available in our sessions.
Ready to empower your family?
Applications take about 30 minutes. Our team will reach out within 3–5 business days. The program is completely free.