VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University is aggressively tackling the state’s early literacy challenges by continuing to align its resources with Indiana’s goal of having 95 percent of third-grade students reading proficiently by 2027. The VU Education Department hosted its annual Science of Reading Symposium on June 9, empowering local educators on how to turn scientific research into practical classroom routines.
According to a 2024 Indiana Department of Education press release, one in five third graders in Indiana could not read.
National literacy expert, author, and elementary school teacher Lindsay Kemeny guided the free symposium at Green Activities Center on the Vincennes Campus, helping connect it to Indiana’s literacy goals.
Kemeny, drawing from her personal journey of helping her own son navigate dyslexia and depression, led educators in a half-day session. She guided educators step-by-step through an effective literacy block, offering concrete examples of how to integrate the science of reading, which focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension into their daily classroom schedules.
Research proves that reading skills are vital to student success. Graduation rates are dramatically impacted by reading level at the end of third grade, according to a report commissioned by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and authored by sociologist Dr. Donald Hernandez. The report stated that children who are not reading proficiently by the third grade are less likely to graduate from high school on time.
VU Department of Education Program Chair Ann Herman said, “Our goal is to ensure that no teacher feels isolated as they adapt to these research-driven curriculum standards. Hosting this symposium allows VU to ensure our local school teachers and school corporations have access to the specialized training required to meet the state’s literacy targets. By bringing in a nationally recognized expert like Lindsay Kemeny directly to VU, we are giving local educators immediate, evidence-based practices that will transform student literacy outcomes in our Indiana communities.”
Interactive Professional Development for Local Educators
English teacher and Bicknell, Indiana, resident Sydney Brown is enthusiastic about everything she learned at the symposium and is excited to put the specific, actionable strategies into practice in her classroom.
“As a new teacher, I figured this was a valuable resource,” she said. “I had been exposed to the science of reading even before I started teaching, and now I am using it in my classroom. I said, ‘Let’s see how much I can change and adapt,’ and this gave me some great ideas.”
Brown, who teaches in Lawrenceville, Illinois, also found it beneficial to connect with other teachers, especially through networking and group activities.
“I was able to pick the brain of the resource teacher next to me,” she said. “As a new teacher, I don’t have a whole lot of experience with special ed, and that’s one thing I’ve really had to work on.”
In addition to collaborating with fellow teachers and broadening their perspective on the science of reading, the participating educators also earned professional growth points required by the Indiana Department of Education for teacher license renewal.
Through bold community engagement events, including this symposium, and strategic academic alignment, VU is ensuring that Indiana teachers are prepared to build a stronger foundation for the next generation of readers.
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