Academics
The two-day event will bring together educators, families, school leaders, and nationally recognized experts to explore the latest research, strategies, and advocacy efforts in structured literacy and dyslexia awareness.
David Hurford, director of Pitt State’s Center for Research, Evaluation, and Awareness of Dyslexia and a nationally recognized expert in the science of reading, will present “What Is the Science of Reading and Why Is It Important to You?”
Tim Odegard, professor at Middle Tennessee State University and another of the nation’s leading experts on literacy, will deliver the keynote, “Literacy Struggles and Mental Health.”
“Our theme, ‘Literacy, Equity, and Advocacy for Dyslexia,’ highlights a growing movement in Kansas and Missouri: equipping communities with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to support every learner,” said Emily Henley, president of the Kansas-Missouri IDA.
Sept. 26 – Breakout sessions with university faculty, literacy experts, and school leaders on topics such as early dyslexia identification, effective reading interventions, and implementing structured literacy in K–12 classrooms.
Sept. 27 – Interactive roundtable discussions designed to strengthen collaboration between educators and families, focusing on evidence-based practices, communication strategies, and building trust to better support students with dyslexia.
Participants will gain practical tools, fresh insights, and a supportive network of peers committed to improving literacy outcomes. The conference is open to the public, and organizers encourage attendance by educators, administrators, parents, students, and advocacy groups.
Registration is now open: pittstate.edu/readingconference
