Science of Reading Day at Drexel 2024
Thursday, September 26, 2024
REGISTER HERE
Drexel University's School of Education is excited to welcome producer, writer, and star of “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars,” Harvey Hubbell, as he shares his film and leads a post-film panel discussion with experts in the field of science-based reading instruction.
Reading is foundational. When children read below grade level, it has compounding effects that may begin in the classroom but have wide-ranging consequences. More than 70% of Philadelphia’s children aren’t reading at grade level by the time they enter 4th grade. Science-based literacy instruction is the most effective way to teach children how to read and write. It focuses on the development of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, which are all essential for children to become successful readers and writers. By utilizing science-based literacy instruction in our schools, we can help our students achieve the skills they need to succeed academically and beyond.
Drexel University's School of Education is committed to leading teacher preparation and professional development programs to ensure Philadelphia’s educators effectively use science-based strategies in the classroom. We believe the science of reading is integral to our social justice and civic engagement missions.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Location
Edmund D. Bossone Research and Enterprise Center
3140 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
The Edmund D. Bossone Research and Enterprise Center is located steps away from Drexel Station at 30th Street. Parking is available across the street from the building or at the Drexel garage located at 34th and Market streets.
Wilson® Professional Learning Credits Available
Attendance at the School of Education's Science of Reading Day for the entire event can earn 5 credits to your Wilson Professional Learning hours. Please visit the Drexel table to register for your certificate of attendance.
ACT 48 CREDIT AVAILABLE
Teachers can receive Act 48 credit for attending Science of Reading Day at Drexel. To receive credit, please check in at at the registration table with your name, email address, and PPID number. Please note, Act 48 credits are not reported automatically. In addition to checking in at registration, you will also need to visit https://comply.edulinksolutions.com/login to submit your request for Act 48 credits. If this is your first time receiving Act 48 credits from Drexel, instructions will be provided at the registration table on how to set up an account and submit a request.
Agenda for Science of Reading Day at Drexel 2024
All times are EDT.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Resource Fair and Reception
Learn more about literacy resources available to educators, parents, and others from local organizations at the Resource Fair and Reception. Light food and refreshments will be served.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Dyslexia Simulation led by Woodlynde School
Somewhere between 10-20% of people experience significant challenges learning to read and write. When those challenges include difficulty hearing and manipulating individual sounds (phonemes) and difficulty matching those phonemes to letters (“sounding out” words or spelling words) we call that dyslexia. At Science of Reading Day attendees can participate in a number of simulations that mimic the experience of those with dyslexia when they engage with print. These simulations not only build an understanding of dyslexia and empathy for the individuals with dyslexia, they also offer insights into how families and educators can accommodate these individuals’ learning differences and modify instruction and environments to better meet the needs of learners with dyslexia.
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm Science of Reading in Philadelphia Panel Discussion
Hear from local education leaders and in-service practitioners who are bringing the science of reading to Philadelphia’s classrooms and communities. Learn how they are translating the research on literacy learning into meaningful and sustainable instruction that helps learners crack the code and become confident and fluent readers and writers. Celebrate as they share the academic and personal successes they have seen accompany effective literacy instruction.
Featured Panelists
Kinu Aneja
Teacher, Bache-Martin School
Alexandra Harb
Reading Specialist, Burlington County Special Services School District
Dollette Johns-Smith, EdD
Principal, Morton McMichael School
Nikki Maloney
Senior Integrated Literacy Facilitator, AIM Academy
Michelle Manning
Reading Specialist, Springfield School District
David Weinstein
Founder, Joyful Readers
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Screening of Hopeville with Director Harvey Hubbell
Harvey Hubbell is a casualty of "The Reading Wars." As a child with dyslexia, he struggled in school, where they failed to teach him using the same literacy methods that are used today. As an adult, he discovered that there is a way to teach all kids to read that isn't being used in most schools, that method is called the science of reading. That information started his quest to change how literacy is taught. To prove that the new system works, he spent a year with a class of diverse first graders and their teachers in Waterbury CT, to provide a never-before-seen look into the challenging process of learning to read.
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Why Literacy Matters Post Film National Panel Discussion
Following the screening of Hopeville, filmmaker and self-identifying dyslexic Harvey Hubbell will lead a discussion about the film and about the impact of literacy on learning and life outcomes. We will hear from researchers in the field of literacy, highly skilled Dyslexia Specialists who work daily with individuals who struggle to learn to read and write, and individuals who work within the school systems and outside of them to ensure that every learner has access to instruction based on the science of reading.
Featured Panelists
Hilderbrand Pelzer III
Award-Winning Educator, Author and Speaker
Lori Severino, EdD
Wilson®️ Dyslexia Therapist, Wilson®️ Credentialed Trainer, and Partner Administrator
MaryBeth Spencer
Chief Education Officer, Woodlynde School
Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, EdD
Clinical Professor, Drexel University School of Education
Kareem Weaver
Co-Founder and Executive Director, FULCRUM
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm Advocacy Toolkit
Following the panel discussion we will share an advocacy toolkit with concrete steps you can take to ensure that the science of reading is part of the educational experiences of the learners in your schools and your communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Science of Reading Day at Drexel is an opportunity to bring together families, practitioners, educators, and scholars to discuss and share ideas and resources on how to improve literacy among children. The event features a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary, Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars with a panel discussion led by the film’s award-winning director, Harvey Hubbell. The event will also feature a Resource Fair with information tables from local literacy organizations and a Dyslexia Simulation sponsored by Woodlynde School.
Science of Reading Day is hosted by Drexel University’s School of Education and Woodlynde School.
Science of Reading Day at Drexel will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, with activities taking place from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET. The event will take place at the Bossone Research Enterprise Center located at 3140 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Tickets are not required, and all the activities are free. Registration is required. Click here to register.
The nation’s early literacy crisis and its effects here in Philly are too dire to ignore. Drexel University is committed to becoming a leader in preparing educators to become effective literacy instructors. We truly believe in what we are doing and fully embrace the science of reading as part of our social justice and civic engagement missions.
Your financial contribution is a critical investment in our city’s future. Drexel University School of Education serves as the center for the science of reading in Philadelphia, the region, and beyond and we invite you to support this cause and play a pivotal role in promoting effective reading strategies for our children.
Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. All sponsorships are fully tax deductible.
**Please note: Sponsorship category selections and payment must be received by September 9th in order to receive all benefits listed.
Can’t attend? Make a gift to support the Science of Reading Day – it’s fast and easy to make a difference.
Dr. MJ Tecce DeCarlo (mt623@drexel.edu) or Katie O’Brien (kmo54@drexel.edu) are the Co-Chairs for this event. They can assist you with any questions you may have.
Science of Reading Day Sponsors