Why Missouri Needs Early Literacy Reform with Cory Koedel and Avery Frank

Education |
By Susan Pendergrass , Cory Koedel and Avery Frank | Episode Length 1 min

Susan Pendergrass is joined by Cory Koedel, director of education policy at the Show-Me Institute, and Avery Frank, policy analyst at the Show-Me Institute, to discuss Missouri’s early literacy crisis. They walk through the need for a universal reading screener, the evidence behind third grade retention, why banning three cueing matters, how teacher preparation programs must change to align with the science of reading, what successful states like Mississippi have done, what Missouri’s current laws get wrong, and more.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts 

Listen on SoundCloud

Timestamps

00:00 The Literacy Crisis in Missouri
04:42 Strategies for Improvement
09:37 The Role of Testing and Accountability
14:21 Retention Policies and Their Impact
19:08 Legislative Solutions and Future Prospects

Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass

About the Author

Before joining the Show-Me Institute, Susan Pendergrass was Vice President of Research and Evaluation for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, where she oversaw data collection and analysis and carried out a rigorous research program. Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in...
Cory Koedel

About the Author

Cory Koedel is a tenured professor of economics and public policy at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His research focuses broadly on the economics of education, and he has spent more than 20 years studying ways to improve school performance. Dr. Koedel’s work has been published in top...
Avery Frank

About the Author

Avery Frank earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics (with honors) and political science from Sewanee: University of the South in 2022. He also studied at the London School of Economics in 2021 and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Societies. His research interests...

Similar Stories

Support Us

The work of the Show-Me Institute would not be possible without the generous support of people who are inspired by the vision of liberty and free enterprise. We hope you will join our efforts and become a Show-Me Institute sponsor.

Donate
Man on Horse Charging