Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)
In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediating reading difficulties. The episode explores recent Human Rights Commission investigations in Canadian provinces that examined why students haven’t been taught to read using effective, evidence-based, methods–what the inquiries uncovered, and how the situation deteriorated to this point.
They also discuss George’s research on reading difficulties and his eye-opening study that revealed the gaps in pre-service teachers’ knowledge of language and literacy. They talk about recent reforms in Alberta, including the rollout of universal literacy screening–what the results have shown so far, and how parents and schools are responding. This conversation really highlights what’s possible when research, policy, and practice come together. As always, Anna advocates that math deserves the same attention as reading. It’s a must-listen for educators and policymakers worldwide.
This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke
Supporting the Right to Read in Manitoba (Manitoba Human Rights Commission, 2025)
https://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/education/pdf/public-consultations/supportingrighttoread.pdf
TIMESTAMPS
[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:01:09] Findings from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission
[00:06:02] George Georgiou’s research background
[00:08:02] The Right to Read Human Rights Reports in Canada
[00:12:11] Thoughts on the Right to Read reports
[00:16:26] Similarities with math
[00:17:07] Good curriculum that focuses on foundational skills
[00:19:31] The study: Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge of Language and Literacy Concepts
[00:27:39] Results of the Human Rights Report in post-secondary education
[00:29:46] Reaction to the study: Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge of Language and Literacy Concepts
[00:30:39] The Alberta English Language Arts curriculum
[00:32:56] Is the new curriculum working?
[00:37:31] What is universal screening?
[00:44:50] What are the free assessments?
[00:48:46] Findings of the assessments
[00:53:38] Communicating the results to parents
[00:54:34] Criticism on the screening process and results
[01:00:40] Reading intervention programs
[01:05:33] Final Thoughts: The future of early screening and intervention in Canada
[01:09:02] Final Thoughts: What role should universities play in preparing teachers?
RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES
How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/how-advocacy-is-changing-reading-instruction-with-jamie-metsala/
Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/using-evidence-in-education-with-pamela-snow-ep-27/
Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-20-reading-and-math-parallels-and-pitfalls-with-matthew-burns/
Universal screening in math with Amanda VanDerHeyden
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/universal-screening-in-math-with-amanda-vanderheyden-ep-50/
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-59-resources
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-59-transcript
MUSIC
Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band - ColorFilmMusic
Website: www.annastokke.com
X: @rastokke
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c
Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social
View all episodes
By Anna Stokke
4.9
6161 ratings
In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediating reading difficulties. The episode explores recent Human Rights Commission investigations in Canadian provinces that examined why students haven’t been taught to read using effective, evidence-based, methods–what the inquiries uncovered, and how the situation deteriorated to this point.
They also discuss George’s research on reading difficulties and his eye-opening study that revealed the gaps in pre-service teachers’ knowledge of language and literacy. They talk about recent reforms in Alberta, including the rollout of universal literacy screening–what the results have shown so far, and how parents and schools are responding. This conversation really highlights what’s possible when research, policy, and practice come together. As always, Anna advocates that math deserves the same attention as reading. It’s a must-listen for educators and policymakers worldwide.
This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke
Supporting the Right to Read in Manitoba (Manitoba Human Rights Commission, 2025)
https://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/education/pdf/public-consultations/supportingrighttoread.pdf
TIMESTAMPS
[00:00:22] Introduction
[00:01:09] Findings from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission
[00:06:02] George Georgiou’s research background
[00:08:02] The Right to Read Human Rights Reports in Canada
[00:12:11] Thoughts on the Right to Read reports
[00:16:26] Similarities with math
[00:17:07] Good curriculum that focuses on foundational skills
[00:19:31] The study: Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge of Language and Literacy Concepts
[00:27:39] Results of the Human Rights Report in post-secondary education
[00:29:46] Reaction to the study: Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge of Language and Literacy Concepts
[00:30:39] The Alberta English Language Arts curriculum
[00:32:56] Is the new curriculum working?
[00:37:31] What is universal screening?
[00:44:50] What are the free assessments?
[00:48:46] Findings of the assessments
[00:53:38] Communicating the results to parents
[00:54:34] Criticism on the screening process and results
[01:00:40] Reading intervention programs
[01:05:33] Final Thoughts: The future of early screening and intervention in Canada
[01:09:02] Final Thoughts: What role should universities play in preparing teachers?
RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES
How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/how-advocacy-is-changing-reading-instruction-with-jamie-metsala/
Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/using-evidence-in-education-with-pamela-snow-ep-27/
Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-20-reading-and-math-parallels-and-pitfalls-with-matthew-burns/
Universal screening in math with Amanda VanDerHeyden
https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/universal-screening-in-math-with-amanda-vanderheyden-ep-50/
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-59-resources
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-59-transcript
MUSIC
Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band - ColorFilmMusic
Website: www.annastokke.com
X: @rastokke
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c
Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social
More shows like Chalk & Talk
View all
The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
2,423 Listeners
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
1,259 Listeners
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
274 Listeners
Making Math Moments That Matter
422 Listeners
Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®
434 Listeners
Science of Reading: The Podcast
666 Listeners
Reach All Readers
214 Listeners
Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers
197 Listeners
Literacy Talks
59 Listeners
Sold a Story
7,586 Listeners
The Knowledge Matters Podcast
178 Listeners
Reading Road Trip
42 Listeners
The Direct Instruction Podcast
36 Listeners
Progressively Incorrect
39 Listeners
Knowledge for Teachers
5 Listeners