Literacy Now

"We weren't just a group of angry Moms; we were a group of Moms who were educated and knew what the school was supposed to be doing, and they weren't doing it."

SUMMARY:

We are so excited to introduce you to Julie Kowalczyk. She is President of Decoding Dyslexia - Ottawa Hills, Ohio, and a member of OH-KID (Ohio Kids Identified with Dyslexia).  Julie is a former 7th grade literature teacher, and a 4th generation teacher in her family! Both of Julie's children have dyslexia. The first signs of difficulty at school were apparent when her son was in Kindergarten. The teacher reassured Julie and her husband saying words familiar to many of us- "he's a boy, he's very bright, has good vocabulary; don't worry - he'll catch up". But his difficulties continued, and when he started 2nd grade, coincidentally with the same teacher he had in Kindergarten, both Mom and teacher felt it was time to look into a dyslexia diagnosis. Fast forward a couple of years and Julie formed a group with other parents to advocate for evidence-based reading instruction for all students. Listen in and learn about how this parent group worked for change in their district, including using social media, letter writing campaigns, parent education and even community outreach.  This is an inspiring story you won't want to miss!

RESOURCES:

Ohio Department of Education Dyslexia Guidebook, July 2022

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Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

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Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

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Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠

SUMMARY:

Today on Literacy Now is a special broadcast of a few extended conversations we had with our colleague and good friend Kareem Weaver. In Part 3, we dive more deeply into advocacy efforts- not just what advocates can and should do, but how to effectively partner with other stakeholders who are like-minded in this cause, but not necessarily like-minded in other areas. Kareem also tells us about school districts that are demonstrating what is possible to turn around literacy rates and close the achievement gap. He sends a message to communities about supporting their teachers while also holding district leadership accountable, and that the civil rights community also has a vital role to play in holding the teacher preparation programs accountable. Lastly, Kareem leaves us with the reminder that we have to come together to solve the problem of low literacy because there is a cost to be paid by all of us for ignoring the needs of our children.

Kareem Weaver is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM, which partners with stakeholders to improve reading results for students. He is the Oakland NAACP's 2nd Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee; his advocacy is featured in the just released film The Right to Read. Kareem also appears in our Masterclass which we encourage you to check out. 

For more information, please visit ⁠⁠Fulcrum-Oakland.org⁠⁠.

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠

SUMMARY:

Today in Part 2 of Literacy Now with Kareem Weaver, our conversation turns to reasons why so many are still so opposed to what has been learned from decades of reading research, and advice for parents on what to look for, what to ask for, and how to talk with your child's teacher about evidence-based instruction. 

Kareem Weaver is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM, which partners with stakeholders to improve reading results for students. He is the Oakland NAACP's 2nd Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee; his advocacy is featured in the just released film The Right to Read. Kareem also appears in our Masterclass which we encourage you to check out. 

For more information, please visit ⁠Fulcrum-Oakland.org⁠.

American Federation of Teachers- Teaching Reading is Rocket Science, Moats, 2020

Extraordinary Districts - S2E4 on Seaford DE

Bluegrass Institute Report - Reading Proficiency Rates Rising in Some Appalachian Schools

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠

SUMMARY:

"I'm focused on education because I think it is the root cause of a lot of our challenges- at the community level, at the district and school level, at the family level, and at the individual and personal level; and even at the state level..." - Kareem Weaver

So begins this incredible three-part discussion with educator and literacy advocate, Kareem Weaver.  Kareem is co-founder and executive director of FULCRUM: Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate, as well as Oakland, CA's NAACP 2nd Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee. Throughout our discussions, Kareem shares his thoughts on the challenges we face, and gives advice for parents, teachers and all stakeholders on coming together for the sake of our children.

In Part 1, we talk with Kareem about his work with FULCRUM, what he has learned through local and national advocacy efforts, the challenges with fixing the reading crisis, and why we have an equal opportunity systems failure.

Resources:

Fulcrum

American Federation of Teachers- Teaching Reading is Rocket Science, Moats, 2020

Extraordinary Districts- S2E4 on Seaford DE

Bluegrass Institute Report - Reading Proficiency Rates Rising in Some Appalachian Schools 

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠

SUMMARY:

In this episode, Dr. Hasbrouck helps us understand what is the "science of reading" and the role of structured literacy in teaching all children to read and write. We'll also learn about some important considerations for school districts as they shift their language arts program to an evidence-based model including first steps at the earliest grades, data collection, curriculum evaluation and investing in developing teachers. Finally, we'll hear Dr. Hasbrouck's advice for parents about what they can do to support their children and also push for change in their schools and communities. You won't want to miss this episode!

RESOURCES:

⁠NAEP⁠

The Reading League- ⁠What is the Science of Reading?⁠

Nancy Young - ⁠Ladder of Reading and Writing⁠

Reading Rockets- ⁠What Is Curriculum-Based Measurement and What Does It Mean to My Child⁠

Reading Rockets- ⁠Assessment and Evaluation: Video Library⁠

⁠Wonders by McGraw Hill⁠

⁠Intervention Central⁠

The Reading League ⁠Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines⁠

⁠The Third Quest⁠ by Marilyn Sprick

Siegfried Englemann, ⁠National Institute for Direct Instruction⁠

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠⁠

SUMMARY:

We are thrilled to speak today with Jenny Mackenzie, a documentary filmmaker whose work promotes social and racial justice issues.  Jenny's most recent film is The Right to Read which follows NAACP activist Kareem Weaver, a teacher, and two families with young children learning to read.  Join us as we learn about what inspired Jenny to make this film, what were some of the challenges in producing it, and what her goals are for the film. Jenny ends with thoughts for this generation of literacy advocates. You are sure to be inspired by this interview!

RESOURCES:

⁠The Right to Read film⁠

⁠The Purple Challenge, Part I⁠

⁠The Purple Challenge, Part II⁠

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠

SUMMARY: 

In this episode, we meet with Kerry Agins, an Ohio attorney who represents individuals with disabilities. Kerry provided the Upper Arlington parent group legal advice as it worked through a systemic group complaint. That process ultimately flipped the school district from a balanced literacy approach to reading instruction, to one grounded in the science of reading. Join this informative conversation on issues ranging from special education laws that protect children with learning disabilities in a school setting, to a case study in a systemic group complaint, demonstrating the power of parent advocacy groups. You are sure to come away feeling activated to bring change to your district!

RESOURCES: 

Book - ⁠⁠Overcoming Dyslexia⁠⁠, by Sally Shaywitz ⁠⁠

Books⁠ by Peter W. D. Wright⁠ ⁠Wrightslaw ⁠

Website⁠⁠

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website! ⁠⁠⁠

Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Parent Group Directory⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠⁠⁠

SUMMARY:

Today on Literacy Now, we are excited to share with you our conversation with an amazing parent advocate, Mindy Patrick. Mindy is a co-founder of the Olentangy Dyslexia Network and a former president of her school district's Board of Education.  She never expected to become an advocate for reading disabilities.  But the cause came to her when she became aware of her child's challenges with learning to read and then learned about the problem with how reading was being taught at his school.  

Listen in as we learn about Mindy's journey to identify and get services for her son, then how she turned to thinking about her community, formed the Olentangy Dyslexia Network and worked with her school district to bring evidence-based instructional practices and programs to all classrooms. 

⁠⁠https://olentangydyslexianetwork.com/⁠⁠

______________________________

Parents For Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.

______________________________

Host Brett Tingley is the President of OH-KID, a grassroots parent group dedicated to ensuring all children in Ohio learn to read. She is also an advisory board member of the International Dyslexia Association Central Ohio. She is the founder and President of Parents for Reading Justice.

______________________________

Please join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward and DONATE on our website!

⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠Our Dyslexic Children - Documentary⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

⁠⁠Masterclass⁠⁠

⁠⁠Parent Group Directory⁠⁠

⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

⁠⁠ParentsForReadingJustice.org⁠