The Science of Reading at Home: How States and Communities Are Supporting Families

This session explored ways states and communities are working with families to ensure that they both understand the strategies schools are using to teach their children to read and are familiar with tools they can use to help their children build their literacy skills at home.

The session began with Susie Estrada at the Utah State Board of Education, who highlighted the history, goals, and strategies in the state around early literacy. Kelly Noorda with Promise Partnership Utah then talked about ways they are working with the Utah State Board of Education and other partners to support regional literacy nights with an event guide, facilitation trainings, and event support.

Next, Trish Brennan-Gac with Maryland READS provided a big picture description of the way the organization is working to support the shift to using a science of reading lens in teaching as well as the statewide reading ecosystem. She highlighted what they have learned through the work of the READ Strong network, including strategies for working with communities and empowering parents and caregivers. Nancy Shockley with Moving Dorchester Forward, the Local Management Board for Dorchester County, Maryland, spoke about the work in the county to engage families and the community as they build a system of care for children and families.

Jessie Coffey with the Nebraska Department of Education described Nebraska’s literacy efforts, including a new Family Literacy Advisory Committee and a family literacy course. Brian Welch with the National Center for Families Learning and the Nebraska Statewide Family Engagement Center provided an overview of the four-component literacy model and ways partners throughout the state are working together to support family literacy.

Following the presentations, Jenny Atkinson of CGLR led the group in a discussion about successful strategies they have seen in other states and communities, efforts to reach less engaged families and unexpected partners, and supporters who have been helpful in their work.

If you were able to attend the session, we would love to hear your feedback! We appreciate your help in filling out the following form as we seek to learn and understand the perspectives, ideas, critiques and recommendations that better inform our key audiences.