Science of Reading: The Podcast

Susan Lambert is joined by Dr. Brittney Bills, educator and recent Science of Reading Star Award Winner to discuss MTSS. Dr. Bills began her journey as a school psychologist for six years before transitioning to the role of curriculum coordinator at Grand Island Public Schools. In this episode, Dr. Bills explains what MTSS is and how it centers on prevention rather than intervention. She talks about the intersection of universal screening data and MTSS and provides advice on evidence-based strategies and techniques to make a positive impact in your classroom. Using examples from her own district, Dr. Bills discusses avoiding burnout, learning to use data, and the process of ongoing improvement.Show notes:Learn more about the Science of Reading for English learners at Celebrating Biliteracy: Realizing a Better Future for Our Spanish Speakers. Register here!

Joining host Susan Lambert, Dr. Doris Baker speaks from her background researching the academic outcomes of English language learners to discuss ways educators can better engage and support all of their students. Dr. Baker emphasizes how much there is to learn about our native language by learning another language, and the many advantages of bilingualism. She then dives into a conversation around codeswitching and the importance of cultural awareness. Dr. Baker also gives listeners practical advice on how to include English language learners in core instruction and highlights how critical it is to provide students with opportunities to engage in sophisticated and deep conversations. Lastly, Dr. Baker outlines how educators can include parents in their children’s language learning by teaching them how, when, and what to read to their kids—in their native language!Show notes:Learn more about the Science of Reading for English learners from Dr. Baker and other experts at Celebrating Biliteracy: Realizing a Better Future for Our Spanish Speakers. Register here!Webinar: The Importance of Dual Language Assessment and How to Deliver It in Your ClassroomResearch paper: Effects of Spanish vocabulary knowledge on the English word knowledge and listening comprehension of bilingual students

Today on the podcast, we‘re joined by literacy expert Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D. Dr. Hasbrouck is an education consultant, author, and researcher. She opens the episode talking about her start with literacy, underscoring how she was one of the lucky ones who learned how to teach reading correctly in college. Dr. Hasbrouck also discusses what it’s like to combat skepticism—both of the Science of Reading and the power of assessment. She then goes on to talk about the book she co-authored on student-focused coaching and ends the episode by addressing assessment anxiety directly, including a discussion of where it comes from, the importance of progress monitoring, and more!Student-Focused Coaching by Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D., Daryl Michel, Ph.D.

Susan Lambert joins biliteracy expert and professor Dr. Lillian Durán, who holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota and researches the improvement of instructional and assessment practices with preschool-aged dual language learners (DLLs).Durán begins by pointing out the difference between being bilingual and biliterate, then describes the key advantages of being bilingual and the unique skills students who speak multiple languages bring to school. She then discusses how the Simple View of Reading connects to Spanish, the double standard often occurring when bilingual students are celebrated vs. when they are not, and the process of screening and assessment for multilingual students. Lastly, Dr. Durán compels educators to avoid viewing biliteracy and dual language support as a sub-population of their classroom and instead prioritize the development of students’ home languages, whatever they may be, alongside English instruction.Quotes: “Language is inextricably linked to culture. We want to make sure these families and children feel valued and honored within our schools.” —Dr. Lillian Durán“No matter what language you start to learn some of those skills in, there's a transfer and understanding of how to listen to sounds and how to put sounds together.” —Dr. Lillian Durán Episode Content Timestamps*0:30: Introduction: Who is Dr. Lillian Durán3:00: Multilingual vs. Multiliterate 7:00: Benefits of being bilingual9:00: How the simple view of reading framework relates to Spanish13:00: Double standards when it comes to bilingualism17:00: Assessment for Spanish speaking chlidnrn26:00: Promoting Spanish language and literacy development within English-only instructional environments30:00: Final thoughts and advice*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

Host Susan Lambert is joined by Lacey Robinson, CEO of UnboundEd, who opens the podcast by telling her personal story of learning to read and describing how literacy empowered her to pursue education reform. She emphasizes the responsibility that educational practitioners and leaders have and describes the literacy experiences of Black students. She also outlines what productive struggle should look like in the classroom, encouraging educators to enable more rigorous reading opportunities. Quotes:“Not everybody has to love to read. Everybody deserves the right to read."— Lacey Robinson“I would lose myself in books. I would wrap myself up in characters and lands and places. My mother told me that day that once they taught me how to read, nobody would ever be able to take that away.” —Lacey Robinson Show notes: GLEAM instructionUnboundEdEstimated timestamps*1:00: Introduction: Who is Lacey Robinson?10:00: Lacey Robinson's work at UnboundEd18:00: Anti-bias toolkit21:00: DEI and the Science of Reading34:00: Equity at the center of design38:00: Overcoming fear and shame40:00: Gleam instructional framework48:00: Rigorous and productive instruction53:00: New things in the works for Lacey Robinson57:00: Reflections on Lacey's younger self59:00: Final thoughts*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

In this episode, Susan Lambert sits down with all of our Science of Reading Star Award winners to discuss their journey with the Science of Reading—from the very beginning, to the work they are doing now. Susan is joined by Brittney Bills (Curriculum Coordinator, Grand Island Public Schools, Nebraska) and Alli Rice (Elementary ELA Lead, Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas), who both won our Amplifying Your District award. Susan also talks with Anila Nayak (Instructional Coach and Reading Intervention Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District, California), winner of our Superstar award that celebrates a teacher who has made a direct impact on their students by applying the Science of Reading. Lastly, this episode features Cathy Dorbish (Principal, Austintown Elementary School, Ohio), who won the Standout School award that celebrates educators successfully shifting their school to the Science of Reading. These incredible educators share their stories of driving change, giving listeners inspiration and advice to take back to their own schools and classrooms.Quotes:“School is a happy place. You need to enjoy being with the kids and making a lasting impact that really matters.” —Anila Nayak“When you’re helping teachers and supporting other people’s classrooms, you do as much as you can.” —Alli RiceShow notes: Learn more about our winners.Read Brittney’s spotlight.Read Alli’s spotlight.Read Anila’s spotlight.Read Cathy’s spotlight.

In this episode, Susan Lambert joins senior product specialist at Amplify, Kamilah Simpson. Kamilah’s roots in education took shape when she was a Title 1 middle school intensive reading teacher and from there she became an instructional coach. Kamilah shares her knowledge with podcast listeners as she dives into teaching reading to middle school students. She gives tangible advice on how to allow for productive struggle so that students can learn through discovery. Some of the topics Kamilah highlights include complex text and rigor, learning to scaffold, the importance of having students listen to text, incorporating writing practice, and supporting students without over-supporting. Finally, Kamilah stresses the importance of motivating middle school students to read by providing texts that they can see themselves and their world in.Quotes: “Students are going to write more when they have something to write about. It goes back to that discovery. It goes back to allowing them to have a productive struggle.” —Kamilah Simpson“Are these texts that my students can find something of themselves in? Or are these just texts that have absolutely nothing to do with anything pertaining to their lives, their world, or their peers? What would motivate them?” —Kamilah Simpson

In this episode, Susan Lambert sits down with Kareem Weaver to discuss change management for educators implementing the Science of Reading. Kareem Weaver is a member of the Oakland NAACP Education Committee and a leader of the organization Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate (FULCRUM). He was also an award-winning teacher and administrator in Oakland, California, and Columbia, South Carolina. Kareem discusses what the Science of Reading is at the simplest level and why it’s important that educators are undivided in backing the research. He goes on to give an impassioned plea to educators to come together, because this is an issue that impacts all kids. Kareem also highlights the importance of meeting educators where they are and realizing that change cannot happen if teachers aren’t given the tools and support they need first. Lastly, Kareem calls for systemic changes to education so that teachers can do their jobs in a way that is balanced, sustainable, and ultimately benefits the students.Quotes: “In order to save our kids and to get them competitive in the information age, they have to be able to access information. And so we’ve got to focus on literacy.” —Kareem WeaverShow Notes:FULCRUM: Full and Complete Reading is a Universal MandateEpisode Timestamps*1:00: Who is Kareem Weaver?3:00: Shortcoming in undergraduate education prorgrams4:00: Diagnosing Dyslexia9:00: The meaning of "the Science of Reading"12:00: Literacy is an issue that affects everybody16:00 FULCRUM organization and its origins21:00: What does FULCRUM stand for?23:00: Literacy, equity, and incarceration32:00: Change management46:00: Making the shift to the Science of Reading50:00: Supporting teachers57:00: Science of Reading movement: Opportunities and concerns*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

In this episode, we join Susan Lambert as she revisits a conversation she had during season 1 with Dr. Nancy Nelson, a research assistant professor at the Center on Teaching and Learning at the University of Oregon. They discuss myths and misconceptions around Response to Intervention (RTI), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and universal screening in reading instruction. Dr. Nelson also describes her work on DIBELSⓇ and explains the importance of dyslexia screeners and what tools need to be in place for RTI to work well.Quotes: “Education is one of the few things that students experience in life that has the ability to change their trajectory.” —Dr. Nancy Nelson“I feel very strongly that students get access to instruction that is delivered through evidence-based practices, because that’s what we know works.” —Dr. Nancy Nelson

In this episode, we join Susan Lambert as she talks to 10th grader Hadyn Fleming about his experiences growing up with dyslexia. Hadyn shares his story of moving around a lot and what it took in his educational journey to feel like he had the tools and resources to be successful. Hadyn openly discusses the experiences that made a difference in his life and candidly discloses what it really feels like to have dyslexia. He also shares the way that dyslexia impacts all facets of education and, conversely, how becoming a confident reader gave him increased confidence in other areas of his life. Lastly, Hadyn helps debunk dyslexia myths, and talks about how an educator's belief in their students' potential is essential to student success.Quote: “Give us the opportunity to be great and we will not disappoint you.” —Hadyn FlemingShow Notes:Rocky Mountain Camp for Kids with Dyslexia https://www.verticalskillsacademy.org/