Science of Reading: The Podcast A better way to teach our teachers, with Dr. Karen Betz
Apr 23, 2025
Dr. Karen Betz, Assistant Professor of Literacy and Coordinator of Reading Science Programs at Marian University, shares her insights on improving teacher education for literacy success. She discusses her groundbreaking master's program in reading science and highlights the need for collaboration between universities and schools. Betz introduces a course alignment planning tool designed to ensure educators’ materials meet reading science objectives. She also encourages current teachers to actively participate in reforming higher education, fostering transparency and inquiry in educator preparation.
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Foster School-University Partnerships
- Schools and universities must build partnerships to improve teacher preparation in reading science.
- Higher ed faculty should actively engage in schools to understand and support real classroom needs.
Partnering with Aligned Schools
- Karen Betz found a private school fully aligned with science-based reading and was deeply involved with them.
- This partnership provided strong clinical experiences for her pre-service teachers.
Legislation Spurs Higher Ed Reform
- Most states (40 of 50) have reading science legislation, with 30 addressing higher education preparation.
- This widespread legislation signifies growing momentum for reform in teacher education.
