📖 Reading is a Human Right – Mississippi Rising, Chapter Two

We continue our journey through Mississippi Rising with Chapter Two: The Beginnings of Change (1996–2004).

✨ In this episode, we trace how one Mississippi mother’s determination sparked a statewide movement for children with dyslexia. From the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas to the halls of Mississippi schools, this chapter explores the partnerships, advocacy, and groundbreaking programs that laid the foundation for structured literacy across the state.

You’ll hear stories of:

• Marilyn Carlisle’s advocacy and partnership with the Masons.
• Dr. Lucius Waits and Aylett Cox’s pioneering work in dyslexia therapy.
• The creation of Alphabetic Phonics and its impact on generations of students.
• Mississippi’s first dyslexia legislation in 1996 and the launch of the Scottish Rite Taped Program.
• The founding of the first master’s degree program in dyslexia therapy at Mississippi College in 2004.

📌 Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this history reveals how passion and persistence fueled real change in literacy education.

🎓 Join us at Breaking Barriers: Expanding Literacy for All Learners
📅 October 2–3, 2025
📍 Meridian, Mississippi – Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience
💡 Two days of learning for educators, therapists, and families supporting students with dyslexia. CEUs available!

👉 Register now: illuminationsdyslexia.com