October 4, 2024

By Shaniya Golden-Riddle 

On September 26, 2024, Drexel University’s School of Education brought the nation’s leading advocates on literacy, along with teachers, parents, literacy organizations, and a critically acclaimed film director to campus for Science of Reading Day at Drexel. The event was packed with valuable information, resources, wisdom, and critical insights. A notable highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring key figures, including Philadelphia native and educator Hilderbrand Pelzer III, and Fulcrum CEO and co-founder Kareem Weaver. Wilson Language Training® co-founder Barbara Wilson was also in attendance. Additionally, a screening of filmmaker Harvey Hubbell’s documentary “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars” highlighted while teachers are implementing curriculum based on the science of reading in classrooms, there are still many schools who do not use it despite the evidence and research that proves the science of reading works.

The event began with a resource fair where organizations such as Play Aloud, Wilson Language Training®, Keys to Literacy, Read by 4th, and Joyful Readers shared information and services about their organizations. Drexel’s School of Education also hosted a table and provided information about academic programs for attendees looking to further their education. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with teachers, advocates, and parents and learn about their commitment to advancing the science of reading. Meanwhile, Woodlynde School, a college-preparatory institution for students with learning disabilities, led a dyslexia simulation that allowed participants to experience firsthand what it feels like to struggle with dyslexia.

The science of reading focuses on an evidence-based curriculum that gives kids structured components for becoming stellar readers like phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars,” highlighted this approach, featuring teachers in classrooms in Waterbury, Connecticut, and interviews with educators and dyslexia experts emphasizing the importance of science-based reading instruction and structured literacy.

In pre-screening interviews, Hilderbrand Pelzer III, Kareem Weaver, and Barbara Wilson underscored the legitimacy of evidence-based research in literacy. “We’ve got to get our kids' reading... there is a way to do it that has been proven,” said Weaver, stressing the urgency of implementing these methods. Pelzer added that “awareness” is why events like this are important in calling for greater attention to the science of reading to ensure its adoption. Barbara Wilson emphasized the dual benefit of events like these where they “teach teachers.” Wilson, who was honored with the School of Education’s “Friend of Education” award for her pioneering work in the science of reading and her lifetime commitment to improving literacy among children, expressed her appreciation, saying, “This award is really special; it’s nice to be honored and recognized.” She was also "thrilled to have Wilson Language Training with Drexel” referring to the partnership Wilson has with the School of Education.

The first panel of the evening, focused on the science of reading in Philadelphia, offered insights from local reading specialists, teachers, principals, and non-profit leaders into how educators are applying these methods. Panelists discussed both the importance of literacy access and the challenges they face. “Access to literacy is a social justice issue,” said Nikki Maloney, an integrated literacy facilitator at AIM Academy. To provide this access, teachers need the right tools and training. Michelle Manning, a reading specialist for the Springfield School District and Drexel alum, shared her experience: “I realized I needed help and something more to help those students,” which led her to get a Reading Specialist degree that included Wilson Language training® with Drexel University.

The panel also featured Drexel alums Kinu Aneja, a first-grade teacher in Philadelphia, and Alexandra Harb, a reading specialist in Burlington County, New Jersey. Both educators praised Drexel’s School of Education for providing them with practical experience. “Drexel offered a lot of fieldwork experience,” said Aneja. Harb added, “Drexel really prepared me in terms of building that foundation.”

The second panel, moderated by Harvey Hubbell, continued the discussion with a focus on literacy’s broader societal impact. The panelists included Kareem Weaver, Hilderbrand Pelzer III, MaryBeth Spencer, Chief Education Officer of Woodlynde School, Lori Severino, EdD, Wilson Dyslexia Therapist, and Mary Jean (MJ) Tecce DeCarlo, EdD, Clinical Professor in the School of Education at Drexel. One of the night’s central questions was why access to literacy should be viewed as a social justice issue. Pelzer offered a compelling response, stating, “It’s a lot of issues and if we want to improve the issue, we have to think about education justice.” Drawing from his experience working with incarcerated youth, Pelzer explained how many at-risk young people read at only a first- or second-grade level.

Weaver emphasized that teachers and communities need to be better equipped to intervene early. “We must intervene at certain levels for kids,” he said, stressing the importance of timely support in literacy development.

After the panel, Dr. Lori Severino introduced an advocacy toolkit developed by Harvey Hubbell, which offers facts, statistics, and resources for those who want to advocate for the science of reading in their own communities. The toolkit, available on the “Hopeville” website, provides a roadmap for getting involved and supporting structured literacy in schools.

The night concluded with closing remarks from Aroutis Foster, PhD, Interim Dean of Drexel’s School of Education, who thanked everyone for attending and for making the event such a success.

An event like this does not just happen overnight. According to event co-chairs Dr. Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, and Associate Director of Finance, Katie O’Brien, the event took months of planning and started with only a screening of “Hopeville,” but “one thing led to another,” and they found themselves adding all the additional components of the event. In a post-event interview, Tecce DeCarlo expressed her hope that attendees would leave with a clear understanding of the science of reading. “It’s about teaching kids how to read effectively using evidence-based research,” she explained. O’Brien highlighted the need for more awareness around structured literacy, stating, “People aren’t even aware that there’s this movement going on around structured literacy and science-based reading” which is why events like this are so crucial. "We owe it to our kids to always be seeking and implementing the best way to do something,” said Tecce DeCarlo. Through events like this and making the concept of the science of reading accessible for all children, we are seeking ways to further their success.

Looking ahead, the School of Education plans to build on the success of this event. When asked about the future of science of reading at Drexel University, Tecce DeCarlo stated, “Drexel remains connected to the science of reading in the School of Education and this event was about the ‘why,’ and we’re now starting to look at the ‘how’,” said DeCarlo, hinting at a possible virtual follow-up in the spring.

Events such as Science of Reading Day are essential for promoting discussions about equity, access, and literacy. Drexel's School of Education is establishing a foundation for significant transformation in how it approaches and teaches reading by bringing together researchers, educators, and community members in a public forum to share materials and advice on how to teach children how to read. It shows progress in ensuring that every child has the chance to develop into a skilled and comfortable reader as more school districts and organizations invest in structured literacy.