The “science of reading” includes far more than phonics—its end goal is student comprehension of increasingly complex text. To be successful, schools must introduce students to extensive content, provide the background knowledge and vocabulary needed to understand new books, all while building their stamina to persist through harder and longer text.
Join us to dive deep into reading comprehension, see exclusive new data on what educators see as the top challenges, and get ideas to improve student outcomes. Attendees will come away with knowledge of the components of reading comprehension, a sense of the core obstacles, and insights into promising new curricular developments.
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Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We’ll highlight key insights from recent reporting on reading comprehension.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: Reading Comprehension—Understanding the Challenges
The Education Week Research Center surveyed nearly 300 educators to hear what they saw as the challenges in reading instruction, and where their students most need help. Do your needs match up with what’s happening nationally? Find out through this exploration of the data, and learn about the themes in our brand-new report on reading comprehension.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: Science of Reading 2.0: Translating Research to Practice
Sponsor content provided by 95 Percent Group
Research about reading and learning informs instructional practice, and the journey between the two is bridged by effective implementation. Discover how to translate the research into practice and maximize successful student outcomes. This session will provide an overview of the critical components of reading and offer tips on how to integrate them into practical instruction.
Research about reading and learning informs instructional practice, and the journey between the two is bridged by effective implementation. Discover how to translate the research into practice and maximize successful student outcomes. This session will provide an overview of the critical components of reading and offer tips on how to integrate them into practical instruction.
Laura Stewart
Chief Academic Officer,
95 Percent Group
Laura Stewart is an educator and organizational leader. She has served as a teacher, administrator, adjunct professor, and director of numerous professional development initiatives around the country. Before joining 95 Percent Group as Chief Academic Officer, Laura was the Chief Innovation Officer with The Reading League and the Chief Academic Officer for Professional Development at Highlights for Children. She is a respected literacy expert, a published author, and presents nationally and internationally. Laura’s passion is empowering educators to positively impact ALL students and change the course of literacy achievement in this country.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: Building Students’ Knowledge
Much of comprehension hinges on students’ background knowledge and the content they learn. Can new curricula that explicitly teach content organized around themes and texts help? Hear from educators that have piloted this new approach, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Sarah Schwartz is a reporter for Education Week who covers curriculum and instruction.
Erin Crouch
Second Grade Teacher,
Portage Public Schools, MI
Erin Crouch is a second grade teacher at Haverhill Elementary in Portage, Michigan. She has worked for Portage Public Schools for the past 18 years, 17 of them as a second grade teacher. She is also the second grade co-team leader for her district. Her goal is to help each student who comes into her classroom feel loved, succeed academically, and have a little fun every day!
Courtney Huff
District Literacy Coach,
Portage Public Schools, MI
Courtney Huff is the District Literacy Coach for Portage Public Schools in Michigan. She provides systematic coaching support to instructional coaches, teachers, MTSS Coordinators, and instructional leaders in multiple K-12 buildings. She has worked on creating a framework for literacy coaching, from training to implementation. From creating grade level problem solving guides for teams to developing literacy content and training for district wide professional development, her mission remains the same: literacy success for all students.
Mackenzie Sheahan
Director of Curriculum and Professional Development ,
Portage Public Schools, MI
Dr. Mackenzie Sheahan is a dedicated educator and leader, currently serving as the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at Portage Public Schools. Her career has been marked by a passion for instructional excellence and commitment to student success. During her time in the district, she has held roles including Elementary Principal, Curriculum Support Specialist, and District MTSS Coordinator. These diverse experiences have positioned her as an advocate for student achievement and instructional innovation.
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective: Ready, Set, Read: Kick-start Literacy with Ebooks & Audiobooks
Sponsor content provided by OverDrive
You’ve probably seen the news: NAEP data shows that students’ reading scores are on the decline, and fewer kids are reading recreationally. For some reluctant readers, sparking interest in books might be as simple as providing alternate options like audiobooks or comics. But for students facing additional challenges, the solutions can be more complex. In this session led by digital reading expert Kristen Hein, you’ll discover how ebooks and audiobooks can help students of all ages and abilities find joy in reading, empower them to embrace their next reading adventure and build stronger foundations for lifelong literacy.
You’ve probably seen the news: NAEP data shows that students’ reading scores are on the decline, and fewer kids are reading recreationally. For some reluctant readers, sparking interest in books might be as simple as providing alternate options like audiobooks or comics. But for students facing additional challenges, the solutions can be more complex. In this session led by digital reading expert Kristen Hein, you’ll discover how ebooks and audiobooks can help students of all ages and abilities find joy in reading, empower them to embrace their next reading adventure and build stronger foundations for lifelong literacy.
Kristen Hein
Account Manager,
OverDrive
Kristen Hein works with OverDrive’s partners in Eastern New York. Since 2019, she has been helping schools implement Sora and engage students with reading. Combined with her knowledge of Sora, years of classroom experience, and her own love of reading, Kristen understands the unique needs of teachers, administrators, and students as they embrace digital content in their libraries and classrooms. Kristen is always looking to hear about and spotlight the innovative ways schools are using Sora!
3:25pm ET
Q&A: Is Testing Getting in the Way?
Every state administers a reading test, but most educators say they don’t do a good job of truly measuring reading ability. Now there’s another possibility: Tests that are aligned to the curriculum all students have had a chance to study. Hear about one state’s effort to improve reading testing.
Jessica Baghian
President,
Watershed Advisors
Jessica Baghian is a proven systems leader committed to ensuring opportunity and achievement for every child, particularly students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Baghian currently serves as President of Watershed Advisors, a female-owned education consulting firm that she co-founded.
3:55pm ET
Industry Perspective: The Missing Link to Comprehension May Already Be on Your Bookshelf
Sponsor content provided by Booksource
There is no such thing as a one-size fits all curriculum. Lesson plans, curricula, and teaching styles evolve and adapt to meet the needs and skills of students. The goal is not only to get students to read but to comprehend what they’re reading. Learn the basic principles of what students need to be great “comprehenders” of text, and how the key to supporting them may already be on your bookshelf.
There is no such thing as a one-size fits all curriculum. Lesson plans, curricula, and teaching styles evolve and adapt to meet the needs and skills of students. The goal is not only to get students to read but to comprehend what they’re reading. Learn the basic principles of what students need to be great “comprehenders” of text, and how the key to supporting them may already be on your bookshelf.
Julie Kreiss
Chief Products Officer,
Booksource
Julie Kreiss has more than 20 years of experience in educational publishing, serving in product development and leadership roles in support of classroom libraries and curricular resources. Prior to her work in educational publishing, Julie led collaborative efforts with grassroot nonprofit organizations and helped amplify the efforts of national literacy organizations such as RIF, Reach Out and Read, First Book, and many city and state READs programs.
4:05pm ET
Interactive Session: Stamina and Attention—Key Components of Reading
In this session, we’ll field your ideas about how to build kids’ reading stamina and get them to turn off those annoying devices and focus attention on their reading—both inside and outside the classroom.
4:15pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Hear the big takeaways from this virtual Forum.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
