What if literacy isn’t just an academic benchmark — but a powerful predictor of student wellbeing, identity, and opportunity?

In this episode of Education Unscripted & Xplored, co-hosts Dr. Kari Vogelgesang and Dr. Mark McDermott are joined by Dr. Leah Zimmermann from the Iowa Reading Research Center to explore how reading proficiency shapes far more than classroom performance. Together, they unpack the ripple effects of reading difficulties on confidence, school avoidance, mental health, and how students imagine their future selves.

Grounded in research and lived experience, this conversation reframes literacy as a public health and wellness issue — one that demands strong systems, early supports, and evidence-based instruction delivered through relationships. The episode also highlights encouraging literacy trends in Iowa, the role of policy and professional learning, and why effective reading instruction can be life-changing for students.

Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.