Rewriting a Literacy Crisis

Reading scores have dropped to historic lows.

Something isn’t working, and the search for answers has never been more urgent. But is it too late? Across the country, educators are proving that change is possible. This collection of Heart Work explores how.

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Podcast Episodes

In this three-part podcast series, former broadcast journalist and educator Lauren Keeling travels to Arizona and Pennsylvania, tracing the journeys of two districts pushing for reading reform — one several years in, the other just beginning. What will it take to turn scores around?

Episode 1

Some Birds Can’t Fly but They Can Swim

In this first episode, host Lauren Keeling reflects on her own experience with the reading crisis and visits Pendergast Elementary District, where a bold overhaul of reading is underway.

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Episode 2

We Picked It Ourselves

Join 600 educators in the School District of Philadelphia as they embark on a journey to rethink everything they know about teaching reading. Discover the heart behind this district’s push for reform. Featuring Nicole Ormandy and Megan Gierka.

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Episode 3

It Takes Time and It Definitely Takes Heart

Back in Pendergast, the ultimate question: Did it work? In this final episode, Lauren returns to the district to find out and speaks with renowned education writer Natalie Wexler on the missing piece in the reading instruction.

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Library

Articles

Read more from voices in education working to understand and solve the reading crisis.

The Case for Knowledge Building in Reading Instruction

For every young reader, there’s a quiet moment when learning to read stops being about sounding out words. But what follows? Lauren explores the shift and reflects on how we move from the “reading wars” toward a model of literacy that honors both the science of reading and the humanity of why we learn to read.

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Reading list

The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It

Natalie Wexler

Reading Recess Podcast

Nicole Ormandy & Megan Gierka

Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong Podcast

Emily Hanford

About the Host

Lauren Keeling is a seasoned education professional with a unique blend of experiences. A former broadcast journalist, elementary teacher, and principal, she now combines her passion for education with her love of storytelling at Imagine Learning. Above all, Lauren is a dedicated literacy advocate pursuing a doctorate in Leadership with a focus on Public and Non-Profit Organizations to further her impact on education nationwide.

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