『My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis』のカバーアート

My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis

My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis

著者： Phillips Fundamental Learning Center
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In classrooms across America — and especially here in Kansas — too many children are being left behind in reading. And too often, their parents and teachers are left wondering: What did I miss? Why didn’t anyone tell me?

Hosted by Jesica Glover — a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist, and parent who couldn’t help her own daughter learn to read — this podcast explores the literacy crisis in Kansas and across the country. Through real stories and expert insight, we uncover how reading is actually learned, where schools are falling short, and what families and educators can do to change it. Each episode combines real stories, expert insight, and a look at the science of how reading works —

From early warning signs and misdiagnoses to bold reforms and grassroots change, My Child Can’t Read traces a powerful journey from heartbreak to hope.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or policymaker, this podcast helps you understand what went wrong — and what we can do to make it right, right here in the Heartland.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
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  • S2E4 /// Numbers Don't Lie

    S2E4 /// Numbers Don't Lie
    2025/11/04
    Show Notes In this episode, we explore the state of literacy in Kansas and across the U.S., digging into the latest NAEP data to uncover what it really tells us about reading proficiency. We discuss the persistent gaps in achievement, the urgent need for systemic change, and the power of evidence-based instruction. Featuring voices from Diane Lyon, Kendra Heim, Alana McWilliams, Sarah Balzer, and other education leaders, we show how structured literacy and the Science of Reading offer a roadmap to reversing decades of decline. In This Episode You’ll Hear: Megan Steele on Kansas 10th graders’ proficiency levels and what the numbers mean for their future. Only 31% of U.S. 4th graders scored at or above proficient in reading in 2024, showing little long-term growth since 1992. Dr. David Hurford breaking down national literacy statistics, the economic impact of adult illiteracy, and pockets of success across Kansas. Only 31% of U.S. 4th graders scored at or above proficient in reading in 2024, showing little long-term growth since 1992. Kansas mirrors the national picture: 28% of 4th graders are proficient, with some districts below 20%. Diane Lyon and Alana McWilliams on interpreting Kansas data, equity gaps, and why structured literacy is essential for all students. Behind every statistic is a child, a teacher, and a family — and action at the policy, school, and community level can change the trajectory. Kendra Heim on how reading struggles show up in classrooms and what teachers need to close the gaps. Early identification and structured literacy are critical for closing gaps, especially for students with dyslexia, English learners, and students from low-income households. Sarah Balzer on the global perspective: dyslexia doesn’t discriminate, and access to trained teachers transforms outcomes. Amie Engelbrecht on the power of parent-teacher collaboration to help struggling readers. The goal of evidence-based instruction is to improve proficiency and reduce special education referrals; Mississippi is an example, rising from 28% to 43% proficiency after structured literacy adoption. Key Quote: "Numbers can either paralyze us or propel us. We have to choose the latter. The data tells us that the Science of Reading works. The question is whether we will have the courage to act on it." — Diane Lyon Call to Action: Parents: Schedule an assessment with Phillips Fundamental Learning Center at funlearn.org or call 316-684-7323. Bring your child’s scores and a PFLC diagnostic assessment to a parent-teacher meeting. Ask about curriculum and teacher training. Community: Start a local petition or PTA agenda item asking for structured-literacy audits. Policymakers: Request a briefing on HB 2322 implementation and funding. Resources & References: Allen, J. (2025, September 9). For immediate release: Statement on latest NAEP 12th grade reading and math results. Center for Education Reform. Link Data Walk: Reading Summit Mobilizes Community Around Childhood Literacy Gaab, Nadine, PhD. (2017). It’s a Myth That Young Children Cannot Be Screened for Dyslexia! International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Kansas Blueprint for Literacy Overview Kansas State Department of Education. (2023–24). Year in Review Meckler, L. (2025, September 9). Student test scores are sliding, reaching new lows. Washington Post. National Center for Education Statistics. (2025). NAEP 2024 Reading Snapshot Report for 4th Grade. U.S. Department of Education. 2024 NAEP Reading Snapshot Report for Kansas Grade 4 2024-25 KSDE Approved Evidence-Based Programs Kansas School Districts can choose from, particularly for at-risk students, many of which align with structured literacy principles. PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Shimmer - What We Call Home, LNDO - Colour, Cody Martin - Pembrokeshire, Cody Martin - Agape, Reveille - Fallbrook, Moments - Luster, Rest Settles - Endings, Cody Martin - Petalstone, Cody Martin - Make Your Wish This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
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    38 分
  • S2E3 /// The Science of Reading in the Brain

    S2E3 /// The Science of Reading in the Brain
    2025/10/28

    Show Notes:

    What actually happens in the brain when a child learns to read?

    In this episode, host Jesica Glover explores the neuroscience behind reading — uncovering why the Science of Reading works from a biological standpoint and how understanding the brain’s reading circuitry can transform how we teach.

    You’ll hear from experts, educators, and Kansas leaders who explain what decades of research have revealed about decoding, comprehension, and how structured literacy can literally rewire the brain for reading success.

    In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
    • How the brain learns to read — why reading isn’t “natural,” and how the brain repurposes regions built for vision and language to process print.
    • Why phonics and phonemic awareness matter — connecting letters to sounds activates the left-hemisphere reading network essential for fluent reading.
    • Hope through brain change — neuroscientist Dr. Reid Lyon describes brain scans showing struggling readers’ neural patterns transform after structured literacy instruction.
    • What effective instruction looks like — insights from Dr. Louisa Moats on how explicit, systematic teaching unlocks the alphabetic principle.
    • The Kansas connection — Dr. David Hurford and Cindy Lane share how state leaders are using brain science to reshape teacher training and literacy policy.
    • Why “three-cueing” fails — guessing words bypasses the brain’s reading circuit, reinforcing habits that make decoding harder over time.
    • The takeaway: Reading can — and must — be taught in a way that aligns with how the brain learns best.

    Reading isn’t firmware in our brains. It has to be explicitly taught — step by step — so that written language becomes a code we can unlock. — Dr. David Hurford, Center for Reading, Pittsburg State University

    Resources & References
    1. Dehaene, Stanislas. Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read (2009)
    2. Dehaene, S. (2009). Interview with Scientific American: “The Brain That Reads.”
    3. Fletcher, Jack M. et al. (2018). “Classification and Identification of Learning Disabilities: A Hybrid Model.”
    4. Gabrieli et al., MIT, 2014
    5. Hanford, Emily. “At a Loss for Words.” APM Reports (2019).
    6. Moats, L. (2020), NCTQ Reports
    7. Shaywitz, Sally. Overcoming Dyslexia (2nd Ed., 2020)
    8. Seidenberg, Mark. Language at the Speed of Sight
    9. National Council on Teacher Quality (2023). Teacher Prep Review
    10. National Reading Panel (2000). Teaching Children to Read
    11. The Reading League Compass, 2023
    12. Saygin, Z.M. et al. (2014). “Tracking the roots of reading ability.” Nature Neuroscience

    PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Shimmer - What We Call Home, LNDO - Colour, Cody Martin - Pembrokeshire, Cody Martin - Agape, Reveille - Fallbrook, Moments - Luster, Rest Settles - Endings, Cody Martin - Petalstone, Cody Martin - Make Your Wish

    This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
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    40 分
  • S2E1 - Why Your School Isn't Teaching Phonics

    S2E1 - Why Your School Isn't Teaching Phonics
    2025/10/14
    Show Notes If we know how children learn to read, why are so many schools still getting it wrong? In this episode, Jesica dives into the science behind phonics, the pitfalls of whole language and balanced literacy, and the systemic barriers keeping effective reading instruction out of classrooms. You’ll hear from reading researchers, school leaders, literacy specialists and parents who have seen firsthand the difference structured literacy can make — and how Kansas is beginning to shift toward evidence-based reading instruction. In This Episode You’ll Hear: Crystal Goins — Founder of Resilient Teacher Mom and Heartwise Scholars Microschool and CEO of Teachers As Partners, shares her experience with transitioning toward the Science of Reading in her instructional approach Dr. Louisa Moats — lead architect of LETRS, on why phonics often fails when teachers lack proper training or materials (0:20–1:19) Dr. G. Reid Lyon — former NIH neuropsychologist, on essential components of reading and why phonics alone isn’t enough (3:14–4:10)Jeanine Phillips — sharing the personal and professional impact of missing reading components in classroomsKendra Heim — principal, on the challenges of implementing structured literacy for all learners (5:42–6:32)Joan Stambaugh — assessment specialist and author, on the consequences of whole language instruction and the power of phonics (1:22–3:16)Tammy Kofford — director of teacher training at Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, on equipping teachers with the tools to help struggling readersSarah Balzar — reading specialist, on the impact of Science-of-Reading-aligned professional developmentDiane House — Skyline principal, on leadership and retraining staff to align with researchHow teacher preparation and curriculum choices have perpetuated the literacy crisisEvidence-based strategies already working in Kansas and across the U.S.Why this is Kansas’ moment of reckoning — if we get this right, we can change the future for every child Key Quotes “Reading isn’t natural… it’s a skill we have to be explicitly taught.” — Jesica, summarizing Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. G. Reid Lyon “Teachers aren’t the enemy here — they’re the victims of insufficient training and misguided curricula that weren’t based on the Science of Reading.” — Tammy Kofford Call to Action Parents: Ask your child’s teacher and principal about the curriculum and structured literacy training. Consider diagnostic testing and support from Phillips Fundamental Learning Center. Teachers: Enroll in Science-of-Reading-aligned professional development, including Alphabetic Phonics or Orton-Gillingham-based training, and advocate for administrative support. Kansas Listeners: Support statewide alignment with Science of Reading. Engage in school and policy discussions to ensure every child has the right to learn to read. Resources & References National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2024 ResultsMoats, L. C. (1999). Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science. American Federation of Teachers.National Reading Panel (2000). Teaching Children to Read: An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature.Ehri, L. C. (2022). Systematic Phonics Instruction Helps Students Learn to Read: Evidence from Meta-Analyses.Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read. Viking.Education Week Survey (2020). What Teachers Know About the Science of Reading. National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), 2023 Teacher Prep ReviewKansas Department of Education Internal Review (2022)Hanford, E. (2023). Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong. American Public MediaNational Reading PanelHigher Education Standards – Science of Reading TemplateKansas Education Framework for Literacy (2025)Kansas Educator Preparation Provider Accreditation and Standards Handbook (2025)Updates on Science of Reading Licensure Requirements (2024) Mississippi – NAEP 4th Gr Reading: Contextualizing Mississippi's 2024 NAEP ScoresAlabama – 3rd Gr Reading Improvement: Major Gains on Reading Scores in AlabamaNorth Carolina – K–3 Mid-Year Growth: NC Department of Public Instruction Press ReleaseTennessee – 3rd Gr Proficiency: Tennessee Makes Historic Gains in Third Grade ReadingIndiana – IREAD-3 Score Increase: Indiana Third-Grade Reading Scores PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Shimmer - What We Call Home, LNDO - Colour, Cody Martin - Pembrokeshire, Cody Martin - Agape, Reveille - Fallbrook, Moments - Luster, Rest Settles - Endings, Cody Martin - Petalstone, Cody Martin - Make Your Wish This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
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    50 分
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