PLCS Insights: Igniting Equity

Dr. Hope Weinberg, Supervisor of Literacy and Learning

Last week, we culminated the weeklong 5th Annual DEI Summer Institute with a screening of The Right to Read. The film emphasizes a pressing movement advocating for every individual's right to access quality literacy education, highlighting literacy as a fundamental human right essential for personal and societal development. Think about it; without the ability to read fluently and accurately, you're starting the race far behind the starting line. Regardless of how often I watch this, the lived experiences of children the same age as my son hit me to my core. We need to do better as educators, and it fuels me as I continue working to support our regional districts as they strive for true equitable literacy instruction for all. Equity and literacy are deeply interconnected. Literacy is a fundamental skill that significantly impacts a person's ability to succeed academically, economically, and socially. Ensuring equity in literacy education means providing all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, with the opportunities and support they need to develop strong literacy skills.

I have been involved in equity work for as long as I can remember, both as a pre-service educator, throughout my entire educational career, and in all aspects of my personal life. Fighting for equity in literacy is part of the broader struggle for social justice, aimed at disrupting the systemic inequities that have historically existed in schools. As the old adage goes, we need to inspect what we expect. Equity work is an iterative process that involves continually refining and improving strategies and practices based on ongoing feedback and data analysis. In the context of integrating equity and literacy in schools, this progressive process ensures continuous reflection, improvement, and responsiveness to students' needs.

While we may experience mixed emotions in response to current shifts in reading and literacy, we must remember the words of Horace Mann, a 19th-century pioneer in American public schools, who preached, “Reading is the great equalizer.” To that end, we at the center are committed to this work. Together, with our elementary and secondary literacy study groups, we are providing schools and districts with a platform to pursue similar goals, reflect on practices, and share strategies for overcoming common challenges. Additionally, we are excited to continue supporting the New York State Literacy Initiative by hosting our first Summer Literacy Symposium with a focus on leading for literacy. It's time we turn our attention to the great equalizer, and I’m excited to help support this charge.