Science of Reading: The Podcast

Kari Kurto, National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, shares insights from her extensive experience in curriculum evaluation. She discusses the importance of research-based practices in literacy instruction, especially for students with dyslexia. Kurto highlights essential non-negotiables for effective reading programs and the tools available to educators for informed curriculum choices. Her passion for improving literacy outcomes shines through as she advocates for continuous improvement and community collaboration in education.

Join Sue Pimentel, the lead writer of the Common Core State Standards for ELA, as she shares her insights on literacy in education. She breaks down the critical role of text complexity and advocates for knowledge building as essential for equity in learning. Sue questions the effectiveness of leveled readers, noting the importance of returning to research for true comprehension. The conversation emphasizes integrating rigorous content to prepare students for life and highlights the interconnectedness of reading and writing in fostering a richer educational experience.

In the Season 9 premiere of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert speaks with Ray James, Head of School at The Ansley School, about the transformative impact of literacy instruction. The Ansley School, which serves children experiencing homelessness, has made evidence-based literacy instruction a key piece of its efforts to foster profound educational and community change. Ray shares his journey and explores how a focus on literacy provides benefits that extend beyond the classroom to the broader community. This episode underscores the importance of foundational literacy skills and sets the stage for a new season dedicated to a literacy reboot.Show notes:Submit your literacy questions for a chance to win!The Ansley School Instagram): @theansleyschool Ray’s Instagram: @the_rayvolutionWebsite: https://theansleyschool.org/Quotes:"If you don't get reading right in an elementary school, every piece of the school suffers." —Ray James"We’re not just doing school, but educating people. I think a lot of people do school, we’re trying to educate our community holistically."—Ray James"Education isn't just about academics, it's about creating a safe place and providing holistic, evidence-based literacy instruction that catalyzes real change."—Ray JamesEpisode timestamps*01:00 Season nine: Reading reboot02:00 Introduction: Who is Ray James?04:00 Ray James' journey from politics to education06:00 The Boyce L. Ansley School community10:00 Support structures for families13:00 Transforming literacy at The Ansley School20:00 Impact of literacy initiatives29:00 Future goals and vision for The Ansley School40:00 Season nine: Looking ahead*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

In this Science of Reading: The Podcast episode, Susan Lambert speaks with Rebecca Tolson and Lisa Lenhart about their roles at the University of Akron's newly established Center for Structured Literacy. They discuss their personal journeys in literacy education, the large grant received from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and how the Center aims to prepare pre-service teachers using the Science of Reading and structured literacy. Rebecca and Lisa elaborate on the faculty’s training program, curriculum updates, and the potential community impact. The conversation also touches on the emotional and professional challenges in shifting to evidence-based practices, the history of literacy legislation in Ohio, and the Center's long-term goals—including IDA accreditation and expanding their impact on both pre-service and in-service educators.Show Notes The Reading League: What is the Science of Reading?E-books from the Center for Dyslexia at Middle Tennessee State UniversityOhio’s Dyslexia GuidebookRead Ohio WebsiteInternational Dyslexia Foundation: Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of ReadingQuotes“We're also making sure that our students are prepared in structured literacy, not just to one program, so they're able to understand the structure and adopt it to any program any district is using.” —Lisa Lenhart“The Center for Structured Literacy is about empowering teachers at the onset—bachelor's degree. If districts have to retrain them after they graduate, then we're not doing something right.” —Rebecca Tolson‘The more I learn, the better I'm at my craft and my teaching for my students.” —Rebecca Tolson“It takes the right person leading you and it takes hard conversations of what we believe.” —Lisa LenhartTimestamps*02:00 Introduction: Who is Rebecca Tolson?04:00 Introduction: Who is Lisa Lenhart?05:00 Overview: University of Akron Center for Structured Literacy11:00 Overhauling an undergraduate program15:00 Origin Story: Center for Structured Literacy20:00 A Passion for the Science of Reading23:00 Intersecting goals: Center for Structured Literacy and the state of Ohio27:00 The importance of training teachers well the first time33:00 Training teachers to encounter schools with a variety of approaches to literacy36:00 Long-term goals for the center39:00 How to get more educators prepared to teach with evidence-based practices41:00 The importance of having hard conversations*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

Check out Amplify’s new podcast, Beyond My Years— host and educator Ana Torres seeks out educational insights and hard-won lessons directly from people who have thrived for decades in the classroom: seasoned educators.On this premiere episode, Ana soaks up wisdom from Joyce Abbott, an educator so passionate about her students that she inspired one of them to go on and write the hit show “Abbott Elementary.” Joyce tells all about her experiences working in a Title 1 school and what it means to know the community of Philadelphia. They also discuss how Joyce’s time serving in the military informed her work as an educator, how she transformed a challenging classroom during her first year, how it has felt to witness the success of “Abbott Elementary,” and her driving force: passion. At the end, Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to discuss some actionable teaching tips for bringing Joyce's lessons into your classroom.Show notes:Subscribe to Beyond My Years on AppleFollow Beyond My Years on SpotifyWebsite: Beyond My Years

Jamie Clark, a K-12 learning and innovation leader based in Australia, discusses his innovative one-pagers that simplify complex literacy research for educators. He shares his journey of creating these resources, emphasizing their impact on teaching practices. Jamie highlights the importance of the 'think-pair-share' strategy and offers invaluable advice for making research accessible. He also reflects on collaboration with education experts and the iterative process behind refining these tools, aiming to empower educators and enhance student learning.

In this episode, Susan Lambert talks with Kelly Butler and Margaret Goldberg about their experiences and insights into improving reading instruction, particularly in Mississippi and California. Kelly discusses her work with the Barksdale Reading Institute, its impact on reading education, and the importance of coaching and structured literacy. Margaret shares her experiences as a coach in California, the challenges of teacher training, and the importance of having a clear and effective literacy plan that includes acquiring high-quality data and using it to inform all your strategies. Both guests emphasize the need for systemic change and the role of community involvement in educational success.Show Notes Follow: Kelly Butler’s Linkedin:  linkedin.com/in/kelly-butler-5b92b31bFollow: Kelly Butler’s Twitter/X: @KellyButler8Follow: Margaret Goldberg’s Twitter/X and Facebook: @right2readprojFollow: Margaret Goldberg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-goldberg-247613117/Listen: S2 E5: The Right to Read Project on nurturing automatic readers, with Margaret Goldberg and Alanna MednickListen: S6 E1: The other side of Scarborough’s Rope, with Margaret GoldbergListen: Emily Hanford “Sold a Story” seriesLook: Textbook sSpreadsheet from the Center for Reading Science at Mount Saint Joseph UniversityWatch: Reading Universe: How Children Learn to Read, with Margaret GoldbergQuotes“The laws are telling us that time's up. We need to get this job done. The good news is we know how to do it. We just need to get it done everywhere.” —Kelly Butler“My role is more to help people make sense of information that is much more widely available, and help them understand how it applies to the work that we're doing. Whereas before, I felt like I was trying to alert people to the existence of research that had been kept out of reach.” —Margaret GoldbergEpisode Timestamps*03:00 Introduction: Who are Kelly Butler and Margaret Goldberg?11:00 Challenges in Teacher Preparation19:00 Effective Coaching Models28:00 Margaret's Journey into Coaching29:00 Collaborative Learning and Best Practices30:00 Challenges and Solutions in Coaching35:00 The Impact of Legislation on Coaching36:00 Reflections on Coaching and Curriculum48:00 Future Visions and Final Thoughts*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

In this episode, Susan Lambert is joined by Arturo Valadez Sáenz, a demonstration teacher from Dallas, Texas, who delves into his journey from his childhood in Mexico to becoming an educator in the United States. He describes his current role, teaching both English and Spanish language arts, and emphasizes the importance of bilingual education. He shares the demographics and linguistic challenges of his students, many of whom are newcomers to the country, some of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or speak different dialects. Arturo discusses effective strategies like bilingual pairing, feedback for learning, and the impact of Science of Reading practices in his classroom. He also highlights the necessity of creating a positive classroom culture and building students’ confidence. Arturo’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the significant difference a dedicated teacher can make in the lives of students.Show notes: Follow on Instagram: @arturosaenzelviajero Visit: https://arturosaenz.hearnow.com/Quotes: “I realized that I truly have a calling of being with kids, and the biggest thing to me is the intrinsic reward that you receive, especially working with economically disadvantaged communities.” —Arturo Valadez Sáenz“It’s all about confidence, building the student’s confidence. It’s a huge component of preparing students to be successful.”  —Arturo Valadez Sáenz“It’s not about the teacher. When planning, my biggest suggestion is do not plan for your own actions. Plan for what the students are going to be doing in every single portion of the lesson.” —Arturo Valadez SáenzEpisode timestamps*03:00 Introduction: Who is Arturo Valdez Sáenz?05:00 Journey to Teaching09:00 Importance of Bilingual Education14:00 Strategies for creating positive classroom culture21:00 Parental Involvement23:00 Challenges in Bilingual Education and the importance of educator collaboration27:00 Setting High Expectations for Every Child28:00 The Power of Immediate Feedback33:00 Building student confidence and classroom collaboration34:00 Effective Grouping Strategies in Bilingual Classrooms37:00 Engaging Students Across Different Grade Levels40:00 Implementing Science of Reading Practices45:00 Celebrating Student Growth and Success48:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

Listen to this trailer for our new podcast, Beyond My Years, launching August 14th. Every day headlines tout something “new” in education—the latest research, the hottest tech, the trendiest new hacks for organizing your classroom. However, beyond all the hype there’s one underestimated resource that’s truly deserving of our attention: educators who’ve been doing this for years. In this trailer, you’ll hear from host and educator Ana Torres as she explains her season-long journey of learning from the experiences and lessons of seasoned educators from around the world. Their stories will make you laugh, make you cry, and—just maybe—change the way you think. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing.(Not an Apple user? Subscribe here via Buzzsprout.)

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Genie Baca, a 33-year education veteran who has spent the last 18 years as a principal in Texas. Baca discusses her career progression from a balanced literacy classroom teacher to various educational roles along her journey to the Science of Reading—and how it all led her to a unique school predominantly serving refugee students. This school—where 39 languages are spoken by the diverse student body—faces different challenges (and opportunities) than most schools. Baca shares some of the transformative strategies implemented under her leadership, particularly focusing on the Science of Reading and high-quality instructional materials. These strategies have significantly improved literacy and engagement, with a systematic approach adjusted for Tier 1 instruction to benefit all students, including monolingual and multilingual learners. Baca’s story showcases the positive influence strong leadership, a dedicated staff, and research-based educational methodologies can have when creating a successful learning environment for a diverse student population.Quotes:"I couldn't just lead my campus into the Science of Reading if I didn't open myself up to [the possibility that] maybe I was wrong. It wasn't easy, but it really took me looking at student work to prove that what I had been doing all these years wasn't working."  —Genie Baca"It's serving every child we have in the seat, whether they're monolingual or they speak two or three languages. What works is a systematic approach to learning how to read." —Genie Baca"Now that we know better, and we know more about the research and how speaking and reading go together, we're just getting smarter. We're learning more about how reading works, how the brain works, how kids acquire knowledge, and we just have to be smarter with how we do things." —Genie BacaEpisode timestamps*02:00: Introduction: Who is Genie Baca?03:00: Genie Baca’s journey in education and unique school10:00: School changes over 14 years13:00: Change management: Teacher reactions & professional development15:00: The shift to Science of Reading27:00: Science of Reading for multilingual learners33:00: The importance of oral language and leveraging it in the classroom35:00: Involving parents and caregivers in the learning process40:00: Reflecting on lessons learned and future directions*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute