HEIR Financial Group

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Higher Educational Initiatives and Reach

HEIR Financial Group

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Empowering Learning, Building Futures

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

Ignite Growth, Empower Education

US Reading Stats

Literacy & Economic Impact

Literacy & Economic Impact

 

  • The US ranks #38 in reading worldwide.
  • On average, 79% of U.S. adults nationwide are literate in 2024.
  • 21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2024.
  • 54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below 5th-grade level).
  • 34% of adults lacking literacy proficiency were born outside the US.
  • Massachusetts was the state with the highest rate of child literacy.
  • New Mexico was the state with the lowest child literacy rate.
  • New Hampshire was the state with the highest percentage of adults considered literate.
  • The state with the lowest adult literacy rate was California.


Literacy & Economic Impact

Literacy & Economic Impact

Literacy & Economic Impact

.below 

  • 3 out of 4 people on welfare can't read.
  • Low literacy levels cost the US up to 2.2 trillion per year.
  • 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
  • 50% of unemployed people aged 16 to 21 cannot read well enough to be considered functionally literate.
  • Between 46% and 51% of American adults have an income well below the poverty level because of their inability to read
  • Illiteracy costs American taxpayers an estimated $20 billion each year.
  • School dropouts cost our nation $240 billion in social service expenditures and lost tax revenues.

 --National Literacy Institute 

Empowering Education & Growth

Building a Smarter Education Future

Building a Smarter Education Future

Building a Smarter Education Future

Building a Smarter Education Future

Building a Smarter Education Future

Building a Smarter Education Future

Higher Educational Initiatives and Reach, LLC.

Empowering Education, Building Impact

Our Vision

We are committed to elevating educational standards through strategic management, innovative solutions, and dedicated support for institutions aiming to expand their reach and impact.

Our Principles

We uphold integrity, collaboration, diversity, equity, and continuous improvement to drive educational excellence.

Professional Development

A well-designed and implemented teacher professional development program is an essential component of a comprehensive system of teaching and learning that supports students to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century. 

Empowering Educational Growth

Reading Science Excellence

Higher Educational Initiatives & Reach, LLC (HEIR) offers Science of Reading–aligned professional development designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to ensure every student becomes a proficient reader. Grounded in decades of cognitive science, linguistics, and educational research, HEIR’s Science of Reading training equips teachers and instructional leaders with a clear understanding of how students learn to read—and how to translate that knowledge into effective classroom practice.

Structured Literacy Mastery

 Our Structured Literacy Workshop equips educators, school leaders, and program facilitators with evidence-based strategies that strengthen foundational reading skills and improve student outcomes. Grounded in the science of reading, this interactive session focuses on explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Participants gain practical tools to support struggling readers, close literacy gaps, and build sustainable instructional frameworks that drive measurable academic growth.


This workshop is ideal for:

  • K–12 educators and interventionists
  • School administrators 
  • After-school and community-based program leaders 
  • Education-focused nonprofit organizations
     

Participants will leave with:

  • Research-backed literacy strategies
  • Implementation-ready lesson frameworks
  • Tools to assess and monitor reading progress
  • Action steps to create literacy-rich learning environments
     

At HEIR, we believe literacy is not just a skill—it is the foundation for lifelong opportunity.

Literacy Meets Innovation

 The Literacy & Gamification Workshop reimagines reading instruction by blending structured literacy principles with engaging, game-based learning strategies.

  • This dynamic session demonstrates how gamification can increase motivation, participation, and retention while reinforcing essential reading skills. Participants learn how to design interactive literacy experiences that make learning both rigorous and enjoyable—without sacrificing academic integrity.

Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, attendees explore how to:

  • Incorporate digital and low-tech games into literacy instruction
  • Increase student engagement and accountability 
  • Use reward systems strategically to support learning goals 
  • Align gamified activities with curriculum standards
     

Perfect for:

  • Classroom teachers
  • Instructional coaches
  • Youth program directors
  • Educational entrepreneurs
     

By combining structure with creativity, this workshop helps educators turn literacy instruction into an experience students are excited to participate in—while still achieving measurable academic results.

Cross-Subject Literacy

Empower educators with strategies to integrate literacy skills into all subject areas. This training helps teachers foster critical reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and analytical thinking—whether in math, science, history, or the arts. Participants will learn the Science of Reading (SoR) and research-based techniques to support students in accessing complex texts and building content knowledge through Reading.

Writing for All Subjects

Transform writing into a tool for learning in every discipline. This professional development equips teachers with methods to incorporate writing exercises that deepen understanding, encourage reflection, and strengthen communication skills. From lab reports in science to argumentative essays in social studies, educators will discover how writing enhances student engagement and mastery of subject matter.

Classroom Leadership

Create a positive, productive classroom environment by building strong relationships with students and implementing consistent systems and structures. This session provides educators with practical tools to address disruptive behaviors, reinforce positive conduct, and establish clear expectations. Participants will explore trauma-informed approaches, relationship building, de-escalation techniques, and proactive systems to support all learners.

Engagement Strategies

Boost student participation and learning with dynamic, research-backed instructional methods. This workshop covers active learning techniques, differentiated instruction, and technology integration to keep students motivated. Educators will leave with actionable strategies to increase collaboration, critical thinking, and academic success in any classroom setting.

Universal Literacy Initiative

A comprehensive literacy movement designed for districts seeking turnaround and reform strategies to improve student reading outcomes. This program equips all educators—regardless of subject area—with evidence-based reading instruction techniques to support struggling readers, close achievement gaps, and foster a schoolwide culture of literacy. Participants will learn foundational reading strategies, differentiated interventions, and data-driven practices to ensure every student becomes a proficient reader. Ideal for districts implementing large-scale literacy improvement plans or MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) frameworks. Every Teacher, a Reading Teacher complements our existing Reading Across the Curriculum offering while targeting districts in need of systemic change.

Financial Skills for Educators

Equip teachers with the knowledge and resources to integrate financial literacy into their classrooms. This training covers budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management, aligned with state standards. Educators will gain confidence in teaching real-world financial skills that prepare students for lifelong economic success.

Customized PD Solutions

Transform your school or district training system to effectively address your organization's unique needs. We empower educators by creating customized training workshops that specifically target these essential areas of practice. Our expert-led sessions are designed to enhance leadership skills, improve behavior management, integrate literacy, and refine communication abilities, all tailored to the distinct requirements of your institution. Make a powerful investment in your educators with our flexible, high-impact professional learning solutions that drive meaningful change.

 "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education".    

                        ~ Dr. Martin Luther King

Contact Us

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Partner with Higher Ed Experts!

Dr. Courtney Skipper, CEO

Higher Educational Initiatives and Reach, LLC.

Tulsa, OK

504.952.4120 office

918.770.9824  message


Hours

Mon

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Tue

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Wed

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Thu

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Fri

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Sat

Closed

Sun

Closed

Copyright © 2026 Higher Educational Initiatives and Reach, LLC. - All Rights Reserved.


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