NEISD Reading Academies News

Meet Mrs. Richardson:

When I learned that I was going to attend a reading academy required by the state, I was not thrilled at the thought of going to an 8 hour in service once a month for the entire school year. I was beginning a new grade level and tried to be optimistic about gaining knowledge on how to teach phonics on a kindergarten level. Once arriving at the initial Reading Academy and meeting Cohort Leaders, I was happy to meet such supportive and optimistic women who were extremely familiar with the content!

Coaching from our amazing Cohort Leader Melissa Salazar-Nelson has been invaluable! She goes above and beyond the basic questions about delivering content to our students. She is extremely supportive and cares about the professional development as well as the emotional well-being of the teacher.

Be open minded and view it as a graduate seminar in teaching literacy to our students. Utilize the availability of content and Cohort leaders with any questions you may have in delivering the content no matter what age or grade level you teach.

-Mrs. Richardson

The purpose of this module is to ensure that participants are prepared to implement instruction aligned with the science of teaching reading. The module examines various approaches to learning which align with the science of teaching reading and can be used to support students with diverse learning needs. Finally, this module explores future professional development and provides an opportunity for participants to reflect on the Reading Academies experience.

As our world becomes increasingly digital, the gap between the literate and illiterate grows. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 21% of adults in the United States, or about 43 million, are unable to functionally read or write.

The effects of this are profound:

• Studies have found that individuals with low to no literacy ability were at increased risk for health issues and less likely to use preventative care. Researchers estimate that $232 billion in health care costs each year are caused by low literacy rates.
• The National Bureau of Labor Statistics correlates a strong relationship between educational attainment and employment, which the National Council for Adult Learning estimates is an annual cost of $225 billion in lost tax revenue and non-productivity in the workforce.
• The National Institute of Literacy states that 43% of adults with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty. Researchers have linked this to being a cause of generational illiteracy and poverty. The National Bureau of Economic Research predicts that 72% of children whose parents have low literacy skills will most likely be at the lowest literacy levels themselves.

While these statistics paint a bleak picture of literacy in the United States, those of us equipped with the science of teaching reading know that this does not have to be our students’ fate. By using instructional practices aligned to the science of teaching reading, we know that almost every student has a chance to live a literacy-filled life—a life of promise. As educators, we have the power and privilege to change lives.

-TEA TX Rdg Academy