What changes when we stop treating literacy as one classroom strategy and start building the language, instruction, leadership, and family partnerships every reader needs?
This year, I’m excited to once again partner with 95 Percent Group for a new five-part podcast series focused on the Science of Reading 3.0.
This series widens the lens. The science of reading gives educators a deep research base, but research alone does not change outcomes. Lasting progress depends on how schools translate evidence into instruction, support teachers, design systems, respond to older readers, and welcome families as partners.
The first three episodes move that conversation from the big picture to two urgent applications.
Episode 1: What is Science of Reading 3.0?
In our opening conversation, Laura Stewart, Chief Academic Officer at 95 Percent Group, explains how the field has moved from recognizing the research base to applying it—and why the next chapter must connect the sciences of language, learning, teaching, implementation, and leadership. We also explore the role of equity, differentiation, joy, high-quality materials, and professional learning in building a literacy ecosystem that reaches every learner.
​Episode 2: Why adolescent literacy cannot wait
Laura is joined by literacy leader and author Jeanne Schopf for a direct conversation about students who reach middle and high school with unfinished learning. Jeanne explains why older striving readers carry more than a skills gap: years of frustration can consume cognitive energy and convince students that reading failure is their fault. The episode points toward explicit multisyllabic instruction, useful assessment, progress monitoring, secondary MTSS, consistent routines across content areas, and professional learning delivered in manageable steps.
​Episode 3: Parents are partners in reading success
Next, Laura talks with Brett Tingley, whose experience advocating for a child grew into leadership across a national parent movement. Their conversation shows what becomes possible when schools treat families as informed partners rather than an audience for updates. Brett’s work reminds us that parents can help identify barriers, ask better questions, champion evidence-based instruction, and build the public will needed for sustainable literacy improvement.
​One series, one essential question
Across all three conversations, the message is clear: knowing the research is the starting point—not the finish line.
The next step is to build coherent systems around that knowledge. That means equipping teachers with evidence-based routines, giving older students instruction that restores skill and confidence, and creating real partnerships with families.
​View all of our episodes with 95 Percent Group →​
Talk soon,
Jeff Bradbury Your Digital Learning Coach
🤝 This newsletter was created in partnership with 95 Percent Group.
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