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Literacy in Transition: Research on What’s Working, What’s Missing, and What’s Next
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Ethan Lynn, Experienced Educator and Partner Consultant, Reading Horizons; Dr. Shantell Berrett Blake, Experienced Educator, Vice President of Education, Reading Horizons; and Jeanette Beninati, Former Educator, Current Marketing Director, Reading Horizons
Sponsored by Reading Horizons
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The conversation around literacy instruction has reached a pivotal moment. While states, districts, and educators have largely aligned around research-backed reading practices and structured literacy, the real challenge now lies in effective implementation and in helping students catch up amid evolving demands on literacy instruction. This edWebinar explores insights from the Literacy in Transition report, based on a 2026 survey of 2,600 educators across 49 states, capturing the voices of those navigating this shift firsthand.
Despite widespread alignment, implementation is happening unevenly across schools and classrooms, creating both new challenges and opportunities for educators. The goal of this session is to connect national literacy policy momentum with classroom realities by elevating educator perspectives and identifying what it takes to successfully implement and sustain structured literacy practices.
The presenters discuss:
- Educator perspectives on the current state of literacy reform
- Technology and AI adoption in classrooms and the need for training and guidance
- The urgency of addressing secondary struggling readers and foundational skill gaps
- Evidence of impact: how structured literacy is improving outcomes over time
- Sustaining progress: the need for coaching, time, and aligned resources
Learning objectives include:
- Understand how educators across the country are experiencing and implementing structured literacy
- Explore key trends across the four phases of the EPIS framework: Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment
- Identify critical challenges, including gaps in secondary literacy and educator support
- Examine the emerging role of AI in literacy instruction, including opportunities and concerns
Viewers gain actionable, educator-informed insights to guide their own literacy initiatives and to have more informed conversations within their communities. As literacy instruction continues to evolve—across teaching practices, policy changes, growing concerns around technology use, and literacy skill gaps for older students—this edWebinar provides important context grounded in real classroom experiences. This session helps leaders and educators better understand what educators are saying, what is happening in classrooms today, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions about implementation and support.
Viewers leave with greater clarity on how to navigate ongoing change, sustain momentum, and ensure long-term success in literacy instruction. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-12 school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Ethan Lynn holds an M.A. in TESOL and a Ph.D. in applied linguistics. He began his career teaching English language learners and later led reading curriculum development in a university intensive English program. Now a partnership consultant, he works with schools nationwide to implement structured literacy in daily practice. He brings experience as a published researcher and national presenter, including multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Dr. Shantell Berrett Blake, an experienced educator, is the Vice President of Education at Reading Horizons. Over the past 20 years, her work has focused on teacher training, content development, and school consultation, with an emphasis on effective implementation. She has trained thousands of educators nationwide in research-backed literacy instruction and dyslexia. Dr. Blake holds an M.A. in education with a reading science concentration and dyslexia certification, advanced Orton-Gillingham training, and is LETRS and CERI certified. She earned her doctorate in education from Mount St. Joseph University, where her research focused on teacher feedback, implementation science, explicit instruction, and improving student engagement and academic outcomes. Passionate about literacy, she is dedicated to ensuring effective reading instruction for all students, especially those with dyslexia.
Jeanette Beninati is a former educator with a strong background in strategic planning, education technology and training, and professional development. Her experience spans education, technology, assessment and instruction, consulting, training, efficacy research, and learning disabilities. In her role as Marketing Director, she oversees the company’s K-12 education marketing initiatives. Jeanette received both her undergraduate and M.Ed. degrees from Boston University.
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For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has partnered with educators to combat illiteracy through effective, research-based reading instruction. Grounded in Structured Literacy, Reading Horizons provides Pre-K–12 core literacy, K–5 supplemental foundational and language literacy, and K–12 intervention solutions that help all students become confident readers. Learn more at readinghorizons.com and listen to Literacy Talks, a podcast exploring fresh perspectives on literacy, learning, and teaching.
