In this special session, “Literacy as a Civil Right,” Kareem Weaver will address literacy as the fundamental civil right of our time. Data across the U.S. indicates that less than half of all students are reading at a proficient level (34% in New York State), with achievement gaps growing ever wider in high poverty, at-risk communities. If we know that 95% of all children can learn how to read and that explicit, systematic instruction is the key to reaching all students, why do we have a reading crisis and what is the role of higher education?

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Kareem Weaver is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM, which partners with stakeholders to improve reading results for students. He is the Oakland NAACP's 2nd vice president and chair of its education committee. His advocacy is featured in the upcoming film “The Right to Read.” Mr. Weaver previously served as New Leaders’ executive director of the western region and was an award-winning teacher and administrator. He has undergraduate degrees from Morehouse College and a master’s in clinical-community psychology from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Weaver believes in the potential of all students, the brotherhood of man, and the importance of service above self. His educational heroine, for literacy instruction, is the late Marva Collins.

A film screening of "The Right to Read" and a community discussion will take place at 5:30 p.m. on March 3. See film screening details.

This is a not-to-be-missed event! 

Please join us at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Friday, March 3rd from 5:30pm - 8:30pm.

We will watch the powerful literacy documentary "The Right to Read" and then have a community discussion with Kareem Weaver after the film.

Kareem Weaver was an award-winning teacher and administrator in Oakland, California, and Columbia, South Carolina. He previously led the Western Region for New Leaders, a leader development organization that supports the professional growth of teachers and administrators and prepares them to serve schools and communities desiring improved outcomes; he now serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM, a non-profit focused on literacy. Kareem is also a leader with the Oakland NAACP, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the National Council on Teacher Quality, and featured in the documentary film "The Right to Read."

It's time to engage our community on this important issue! Being able to read is the funndamental building block upon which all success is built - and the most important civil rights issue of our time. Let's go, Buffalo! Together we can make a difference.

Attention Teachers, Parents, Board Members and Education Stakeholders!

Kareem Weaver will be in conversation with Lori Govenettio and Michelle Hill of The WNY Literacy Collaborative. Lori and Michelle, both reading specialists in Erie County public schools, are devoted to learning as much as possible about effective reading instruction - and sharing their knowledge.

Kareem Weaver was an award-winning teacher and administrator in Oakland, California, and Columbia, South Carolina. He previously led the Western Region for New Leaders, a leader development organization that supports the professional growth of teachers and administrators and prepares them to serve schools and communities desiring improved outcomes; he now serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM, a non-profit focused on literacy. Kareem is also a leader with the Oakland NAACP, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the National Council on Teacher Quality, and featured in the documentary film "The Right to Read."

Join us at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center for a day of learning more about the science of reading and how we can work together to change reading outcomes for the students of Western New York. 

*Please note: registration priority will be given to teachers in the Western New York Region.

Learn more and register HERE.

Find agenda HERE.

Presented by the WNY Literacy Initiative, and emceed by Tarja Parssinen of the WNY Education Alliance, this is a special presentation on the Science of Reading with Dr. Goffney, Superintendent of Aldine ISD, and Dr. Chaucer, Principal of Milton Terrace Elementary School in Ballston Spa, NY, with opening remarks from Dr. Tracy White Weeden of the Neuhaus Education Center and Dr. Maria Murray from The Reading League. Our speakers will discuss why their districts moved to science-aligned curriculum and instruction, how they implemented changes, and advice to those considering change in their own district. Originally presented to WNY School Admin, this is a crucial listen for any superintendent and their admin team, as their consider moving away from balanced literacy, and aligning instruction and curriculum with science. Please click HERE to find the recording.