Literacy Now

PRJ - Clarice Jackson Episode

In this compelling episode of Literacy Now Together, Brett Tingley of Parents for Reading Justice and Kareem Weaver of FULCRUM interview ClariceJackson, a nationally recognized literacy advocate and founder of The Voice Advocacy Center and Black Literacy Matters. Clarice recounts how her journey began with her daughter’s struggle to learn to read, leading her to challenge ineffective systems, master special education law, and ultimately create resources and pathways for other families. She emphasizes that parents are not peripheral to education, they are essential partners whose voices must be respected and amplified in decision-making spaces. The discussion explores the intersection of dyslexia, race, and access, including Clarice’s leadership in advancing a national NAACP resolution on dyslexia and her efforts to reframe literacy as both a civil rights issue and a community responsibility. With candor and urgency, the episode calls out gaps in teacher preparation, the misuse of ineffective curricula, and the need for leadership that prioritizes evidence-based instruction. Above all, Clarice offers a message of empowerment and action: families must not wait for the system to change, they can be the force that ensures children learn to read.  Clarice's advocacy work, including her efforts to help her daughter Latecia learn to read, are featured in this 2014 KETV news video- https://www.ketv.com/article/woman-determined-to-help-children-escape-trap-of-dyslexia/7154270 [https://www.ketv.com/article/woman-determined-to-help-children-escape-trap-of-dyslexia/7154270]. It ends with wise words from Latecia, "Don't give up, keep reading, keep trying, read everything you see."       Resources: Article- "Dyslexia Advocacy, Borne of Love and Tragedy, Drives Clarice Jackson" https://www.noiseomaha.com/culture/2021/10/6/vt7ep6201r60lmftd0907sy6w65323-etzl8 [https://www.noiseomaha.com/culture/2021/10/6/vt7ep6201r60lmftd0907sy6w65323-etzl8]  Voice Advocacy Center https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/ [https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/] Black Literacy Matters https://blackliteracymatters.org/ [https://blackliteracymatters.org/] Decoding Dyslexia NE https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/decoding-dyslexia-nebraska/ [https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/decoding-dyslexia-nebraska/]  The Reading League of Nebraska https://ne.thereadingleague.org/ [https://ne.thereadingleague.org/]  NAACP 2014 Resolution on Dyslexia https://naacp.org/resources/dyslexia [https://naacp.org/resources/dyslexia] Social Media: Instagram:  @blackliteracymatters_official @decodingdyslexiane @ladyclaricejackson X: @voiceadvocacy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceadvocacycenter [https://www.facebook.com/voiceadvocacycenter] http://facebook.com/dispellingdyslexia [http://facebook.com/dispellingdyslexia]@Decoding Dyslexia-NE @Black Literacy Matters Conference @The Reading League Nebraska @Clarice L. Jackson LinkedIn: @Voice Advocacy Center @Black Literacy Matters @Clarice Jackson ____________________________________________________________ Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. About Brett Tingley: ⁠ [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio] https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio⁠ [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio] About Kareem Weaver: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio⁠ [https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio] About Parents for Reading Justice: ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice] https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice⁠ [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice] About FULCRUM: ⁠https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy⁠ [https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy] DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!

Literacy & Social Justice

In this episode of Literacy Now Together, hosts Brett Tingley of Parents for Reading Justice and Kareem Weaver of FULCRUM talk with Dr. Louise Bay Waters, retired superintendent in Oakland, California, and Dr. Kelly Carvajal Hageman, Chief Academic Officer in Milford, Delaware, about what it takes to move district reading outcomes at scale. Drawing on leadership experience in both a large urban system and smaller rural districts, they explain how sustained literacy gains only became possible with a superintendent who took ownership of literacy as a system responsibility, shielding schools from initiative overload, aligning resources, and protecting the time and focus required for deep implementation. From there, their districts moved from low literacy rates to high-impact classrooms by selecting evidence-aligned core curricula, using formative data to guide instruction, and developing principals as hands-on instructional leaders. The conversation also tackles the controversy over so-called “scripted” programs, emphasizes choosing programs based on results over ratings, and the importance of starting small and scaling carefully to build genuine teacher buy-in. The episode underscores a central theme: literacy is a social justice issue, and durable gains require coherent systems, inclusive and supported Tier 1 instruction, and leadership at every level committed to ensuring all children learn to read. Resources: Open Court- https://www.mheducation.com/prek-12/program/microsites/MKTSP-THA19M01?srsltid=AfmBOorHRMbb2afYKZT31G1cryNrUuSSnT_KmB6uw6qT1tmZcg-fp2g7 [https://www.mheducation.com/prek-12/program/microsites/MKTSP-THA19M01?srsltid=AfmBOorHRMbb2afYKZT31G1cryNrUuSSnT_KmB6uw6qT1tmZcg-fp2g7] Bookworms- https://access.openupresources.org/curricula/bookworms-k5 [https://access.openupresources.org/curricula/bookworms-k5] Dr. Sharon Wapole- https://www.cehd.udel.edu/faculty-bio/sharon-walpole/ [https://www.cehd.udel.edu/faculty-bio/sharon-walpole/] Ed Reports- https://edreports.org/ [https://edreports.org/] Socials: Louise Bay Waters LinkedIn: @Louise Waters Kelly Carvajal Hageman LinkedIn: @Kelly Carvajal Hageman X: @CarvajalHageman ____________________________________________________________ Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently. About Brett Tingley: https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio] About Kareem Weaver: https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio [https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio] About Parents for Reading Justice: https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice] About FULCRUM:https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy [https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy] DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!

Dyslexia, Race, Power and Advocacy

In this powerful episode of Literacy Now Together, Brett Tingley of Parents for Reading Justice and Kareem Weaver of FULCRUM sit down with Winifred Winston and LeDerick Horne, co-hosts of the Black and Dyslexic podcast, for an unflinching conversation about dyslexia, race, power, and advocacy. Winston and Horne share how the Black and Dyslexic podcast emerged from lived experiences and a lack of representation in the dyslexia advocacy movement, and why centering Black families is essential to dismantling stigma and low expectations that too often harm Black children. Together, the guests and hosts explore the realities Black parents face navigating schools, IEPs, and special education systems; the importance of culturally grounded storytelling and community-specific outreach; and what true partnership looks like beyond good intentions. The episode underscores that literacy justice requires intentionality in teacher preparation, curriculum, leadership, and inclusion, and also that dyslexia awareness, when paired with evidence-based instruction and authentic partnerships, can be a powerful lever for healing families and transforming schools. About Winifred Winston Black & Dyslexic Podcast https://rss.com/podcasts/black-and-dyslexic/ [https://rss.com/podcasts/black-and-dyslexic/] Dyslexia Word Search Puzzle Book https://a.co/d/7XUGEG1 [https://a.co/d/7XUGEG1] Dyslexia Advocation, Inc https://www.soallcanread.org [https://www.soallcanread.org] Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/soallcanread [https://www.instagram.com/soallcanread] https://www.instagram.com/blackanddyslexic [https://www.instagram.com/blackanddyslexic] Founding Board Member: The Institute for Black Literacy https://blackliteracymatters.org [https://blackliteracymatters.org] SEE US - Special Education Excellence for Underserved Students. https://www.seeusadvocacy.org/ [https://www.seeusadvocacy.org/] About LeDerick Horne LeDerick’s website: https://lederick.com [https://lederick.com] LeDerick’s new video course for families and educators https://lederick.com/courses/ [https://lederick.com/courses/] LeDerick is co-founder and board chairman at “All In for Inclusive Education” https://www.allinforinclusiveed.org/ [https://www.allinforinclusiveed.org/] The book LeDerick co-authored: “Empowering Students with Hidden Disabilities: A Path of Pride and Success” https://a.co/d/iE2n1Hh [https://a.co/d/iE2n1Hh ] Socials: Instagram: @blackanddyslexic X: @soallcanread Facebook: @soallcanread (Dyslexia Advocation) LinkedIn: @ Dyslexia Advocation IncResources:Black and Dyslexic podcast website https://www.soallcanread.org/b-a-d-podcast.html [https://www.soallcanread.org/b-a-d-podcast.html] On Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-and-dyslexic/id1588272642 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-and-dyslexic/id1588272642] ___________________________________________________________Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.About Brett Tingley: https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio]About Kareem Weaver: https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio [https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio]About Parents for Reading Justice: https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice]About FULCRUM:https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy [https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy ]DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!

When do I Take Action When It Comes to my Child’s Right to Read.

In this timely and hard-hitting episode of Literacy Now Together, hosts Brett Tingley of Parents for Reading Justice and Kareem Weaver of FULCRUM are joined by parent advocates Lindsay Nofelt and Niki Sidler Richardson for a powerful coast-to-coast conversation on dyslexia, accountability, and the growing role of the courts in enforcing every student's right to learn to read. Drawing from landmark legal cases in California and Tennessee, the guests examine how school systems have promoted students without teaching them to read, how assistive technology and accommodations can mask, rather than remediate, reading failure, and why precedent-setting rulings matter for families, educators, districts, and colleges of education alike. Together, they unpack the tension between ideology and evidence, expose how inequities are reinforced by ineffective literacy instruction, and argue that reading is not a political issue but a civil right, one that demands urgency, fidelity to research, and unwavering accountability to children and their futures.RESOURCES Reading For Berkeley https://www.readingforberkeley.org/ [⁠https://www.readingforberkeley.org/] Berkeley Parents Union https://www.berkeleyparentsunion.org/ [https://www.berkeleyparentsunion.org/] Berkeleyside article https://www.berkeleyside.org/2023/06/01/opinion-actions-reading-success [https://www.berkeleyside.org/2023/06/01/opinion-actions-reading-success] EdSource article - TN Dyslexia Alliance https://www.tndyslexiaalliance.com/ [https://www.tndyslexiaalliance.com/] ClarksvilleNow.come article, 'This kid can't read' https://www.tndyslexiaalliance.com/ [https://www.tndyslexiaalliance.com/] SOCIALS Lindsay: Facebook- @read4berkeley Instagram- @read4berkeley LinkedIn- @Reading for Berkeley X- @read4berkeley Niki: Facebook- @Niki-Sidler-Richardson Instagram- @tndyslexiaalliance LinkedIn- @Niki Sidler Richardson X- @NikiSidlerCALT ____________________________________________________________ Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently. About Brett Tingley: https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio] About Kareem Weaver: https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio [https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio] About Parents for Reading Justice: https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice] About FULCRUM: https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy [https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy] Join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward, and DONATE!DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support! #literacynow #readinginstruction #education #awareness #teacher #teaching #fyp #change

Multilingual Learners and The Science of Reading, Can it be Done?

In this powerful episode of Literacy Now Together, hosts Brett Tingley (Parents for Reading Justice) and Kareem Weaver (FULCRUM) sit down with Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Antonio Fierro for an illuminating conversation on the science of reading and its vital application to multilingual learners. Drawing on decades of research and classroom practice, Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Fierro unpack how evidence-based instruction must integrate language and literacy development across all content areas—and across every grade level. This is beneficial for all students, and critical for multilingual learners. They call for teacher preparation programs to break out of silos, uniting speech-language, psychology, and education disciplines to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to support English Learners from day one. The discussion spans topics from linguistic responsiveness and dyslexia identification to higher education reform and economic mobility, underscoring that literacy is both a bridge to equity and a shared responsibility. As the guests remind us, all teachers are language teachers—and every child deserves instruction that honors their language, culture, and potential.Resources:Literacy Foundations for English Learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction, by Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan [https://products.brookespublishing.com/Literacy-Foundations-for-English-Learners-P1192.aspx] English Learners and Dyslexia [https://dyslexiaida.org/english-learners-and-dyslexia/] International Dyslexia Association Revised 2025 Definition of Dyslexia [https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/] International Dyslexia Association Spanish Version of the Knowledge and Practice Standards [https://dyslexiaida.org/ida-releases-updated-spanish-version-of-kps/] Evidence Advocacy Center - Language Variations Resource Menu [https://evidenceadvocacycenter.org/language-variations-resources-menu/] Reading Universe [https://readinguniverse.org/] Multitiered System of Supports for English Learners [https://www.mtss4els.org/] Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth [https://www.colorincolorado.org/research/developing-literacy-second-language-learners-report-national-literacy-panel-language] Report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English, 2017 [https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24677/promoting-the-educational-success-of-children-and-youth-learning-english] Valley Speech Language and Learning Center [https://www.valleyspeech.org/] 95 Percent Group [https://www.95percentgroup.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopkVFWjkYafLZ6S6Jq9UHQR5FxW6I1DtsZIEAnofUtxubst7kc8]SocialsElsa:LinkedIn / elsachaganX / @DrElsa_CHaganFacebook / @ValleySpeechAntonio:LinkedIn / antonio-a-fierroLinkedIn / 95-percent-group-incX / @aa_fierroX / @95percentgroupFacebook / @95percentgroupInstagram / @95percentgroupllc____________________________________________________________Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.About Brett Tingley: https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio [https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio]About Kareem Weaver: https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio [https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio]About Parents for Reading Justice: https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice [https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice]About FULCRUM:https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy [https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy] Join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward, and DONATE!DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!#literacynow #readinginstruction #education #awareness #teacher #teaching #fyp #change