“One of the things that we learned is that every state is different, and every state has different abilities and different infrastructure. And what we recognize is that states needed greater flexibility, they know their audience well, and they really needed to have the flexibility to say what is appropriate for their individuals and their families.” — Susan B. Neuman, Ed.D., Professor, NYU 

This GLR Learning Tuesdays conversation, From Reading First to Reading Legislation With Albert Shanker Institute, moderated by Suzanne Mineck, former President of the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, kicked off with the expertise and experience of Susan B. Neuman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education. Neuman discussed the encouraging motivations behind Reading First’s federal initiative to provide core reading instruction and support for struggling schools, as well as what pitfalls came about, such as the inefficacy of a federal initiative for local issues or the need to recognize parents and guardians as key players in children’s education. Mary Cathryn Ricker of the Albert Shanker Institute then explained the Institute’s ongoing commitment to the science of reading, and how that coupled with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the forthcoming comprehensive literacy legislation study. This was followed by a conversation with Neuman, Ricker, Kayla Reist, and Esther Quintero, both of the Albert Shanker Institute, covering the motivations and methodology of their study, hopes for the future, and bright spots they found during their research.  

“This is critically important to [legislators], and I actually take that as a message to students, their families and educators, and the whole community of caring so much that we are going to do something about it to support you. There are legislative bodies that have done a lot of work. There are some who have taken first steps there, some will have taken a couple of first steps, and we are encouraging them to keep going again. The complexity of supporting education, teaching and learning as a whole system is going to take a lot of effort, and there isn’t just one bill that is going to magically support all of teaching and learning. I think we take this as an example that legislatures have found this to be of statewide importance, and that is why they are perhaps working alongside their historic respect for local control.” — Mary Cathryn Ricker, Executive Director, Albert Shanker Institute