KAS and partners screen film on “Science of Reading”

Rob Weber

A lively panel discussion followed the Oct. 22 screening of the film “The Right to Read” on Oct. 22 at Louisville’s Speed Cinema.

 

The Kentucky Academy of Science partnered with the cinema and the Louisville Courier Journal to host the event and shed light on efforts to promote evidence-based literacy instruction methods. While the film primarily focused on literacy advocates' endeavors in Oakland, California, the issue at hand resonates with schools nationwide, including Kentucky, which is actively addressing the need for improved literacy education.
 
Kentucky policymakers are increasingly promoting "structured literacy," an approach consistent with the "Science of Reading" – a body of knowledge that comprehensively outlines how the brain develops reading skills. The event underscored the importance of these initiatives in improving literacy education.

 

Following the film screening, a panel discussion shed light on the efforts to bolster literacy skills among Kentucky students. Panelists included: State Representative Tina Bojanowski, who serves Kentucky's 32nd House District; Krista Johnson, Education Reporter for the Courier Journal; LaToya Whitlock, Executive Director of Decode Project; and Micki Ray, Chief Academic Officer for the Kentucky Department of Education. The panel discussion was moderated by Erin Hogan, an assistant professor of literacy at the University of Louisville.


 
The panelists spoke about improvements in Kentucky’s literacy efforts and noted that current challenges include getting districts to embrace structured literacy and making sure students pursuing teaching degrees are educated in the science of reading.
 
Reading is a foundational skill upon which lifelong learning is based. We thank everyone who turned out for our “Right to Read” event and took part in the discussion about the importance of building strong reading skills in Kentucky schools.