Science of Reading: The Podcast
A better way to teach our teachers, with Dr. Karen Betz
Apr 23, 2025
Dr. Karen Betz, Assistant Professor of Literacy and Coordinator of Reading Science Programs at Marian University, shares her insights on improving teacher education for literacy success. She discusses her groundbreaking master's program in reading science and highlights the need for collaboration between universities and schools. Betz introduces a course alignment planning tool designed to ensure educators’ materials meet reading science objectives. She also encourages current teachers to actively participate in reforming higher education, fostering transparency and inquiry in educator preparation.
37:48
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Quick takeaways
- Collaboration between K-12 schools and higher education is essential for aligning teacher preparation with practical literacy instruction needs.
- Ongoing professional development for educators is critical for implementing effective literacy practices and enhancing teaching quality in higher education.
Deep dives
Collaboration Between Academia and Schools
Collaboration between K-12 schools and higher education institutions is essential for enhancing teacher preparation and literacy practices. Dr. Karen Betts emphasizes the need for universities to engage with schools to understand their specific requirements, which in turn benefits pre-service teachers as they enter the workforce. By establishing partnerships, universities can ensure that their training programs are effectively aligned with the practical realities teachers face in classrooms. This teamwork fosters a more cohesive learning environment, enabling future educators to be better equipped to handle the complexities of literacy instruction.
