Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition, the Reading League of Pennsylvania, Decoding Dyslexia PA, and the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association recognized Dyslexia Awareness Month by hosting a rally at the State Capitol, championing evidence-based reading instruction, early screening, and timely intervention for Pennsylvania students.
The event followed a legislative briefing earlier that morning, hosted by the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition, where Dr. Stacey Cherny, Special Assistant to the Secretary for Structured Literacy, shared the Commonwealth’s roadmap for implementing Act 47, Pennsylvania’s landmark early literacy law. Together, the events underscored the progress Pennsylvania has made toward improving reading outcomes and the shared commitment needed to turn policy into practice.
Speakers also welcomed the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s announcement earlier this week of $10 million in structured literacy grants awarded to 54 schools across 21 counties. The grant awards mark an important step in translating Act 47 into classroom practice. Building on this progress, the Coalition is calling for sustained, statewide investment to ensure every school has the resources, training, and support needed to deliver evidence-based reading instruction.
“I know what’s possible when we equip educators with the knowledge they need. And I know how devastating it can be for children when we don’t,” Jessica Werntz, Intervention Specialist, Ephrata Area School District. “The good news is that Pennsylvania has taken a major step forward. Last year, through bipartisan leadership and the tireless advocacy of parents, educators, and organizations across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania passed Act 47 — a landmark early literacy law. Now comes the hard part: turning policy into practice. We cannot ask our teachers and school leaders to transform literacy instruction without giving them the resources, time, and training to do it well. That’s why the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition is calling for a $50 million statewide investment in educator training to support Act 47 implementation.”
Other speakers included Jennifer McElwain, teacher at Mifflin County High School; Dr. Lindsey Stock, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Reading School District; and Dr. Michael J. Vuckovich, Superintendent of Windber Area School District and 2026 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year, alongside students, parents, educators, and literacy advocates from across the Commonwealth.
“Pennsylvania has made real progress toward creating a future where all students can become confident, proficient readers,” said Rachael Garnick, Director of the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition. “Act 47 established clear standards and expectations for evidence-based reading instruction statewide, and the announcement of $10 million in structured literacy grants represents another important step in turning policy into practice.
“The next critical step is to build on this momentum with investments that equip educators and schools across the Commonwealth to succeed. A law sets the direction, but it’s knowledgeable, well-prepared educators who bring effective reading instruction to life. That’s why we’re calling for a $50 million investment in the FY2027–28 state budget for statewide educator training, to ensure teachers and school leaders have the knowledge, skills, and support to implement Act 47 effectively.
Pennsylvania has laid the foundation for a historic transformation in literacy outcomes. With sustained investment and a shared commitment to implementation, we can turn that promise into meaningful gains for students in every corner of the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition
The PA Literacy Coalition is a nonpartisan, cross-sector coalition committed to ending Pennsylvania’s literacy crisis by advancing a unified, coordinated voice to support evidence-based policy and sustained investment. For more information, www.paliteracy.org.
Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our Student Opportunity Mandate: To act boldly and create the conditions where every student can imagine their future—and experience an education that delivers the opportunity to realize it. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. www.teachplus.org/pa/
The Reading League
The Reading League is a national nonprofit founded by educators and reading experts dedicated to advancing evidence-aligned reading instruction. The Reading League PA serves as the state chapter, and their collective mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. For more information, www.thereadingleague.org.
Decoding Dyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia- PA is a grassroots movement driven by families concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within our public schools. For more information, www.decodingdyslexiapa.com/about-ddpa
International Dyslexia Association-Pennsylvania (IDA-PA)
The International Dyslexia Association-Pennsylvania (IDA-PA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Pennsylvania and Delaware. We champion individuals with dyslexia and all students learning to read by supporting families, educators, professionals, and communities through education, advocacy, and evidence-based literacy practices. As a branch of the International Dyslexia Association, we work to increase awareness of dyslexia, connect individuals with trusted resources, and promote effective reading instruction grounded in scientific research. For more information, www.pa.dyslexiaida.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Nicastre
