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Education

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

By Susan Pendergrass, Cory Koedel, Avery Frank on Dec 12, 2025

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.

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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

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About the author

Susan Pendergrass

Director of Research

More about this author >
About the author

Cory Koedel

Director of Education Policy

More about this author >
About the author

Avery Frank

Policy Analyst

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