Educational Equity, Literacy, & the Future of Learning with: Justin Hassan

According to the National Literacy Institute, nearly 40% of American students are not reading at a basic proficiency level, while more than one in four adults possess literacy skills at or below a basic level. Combined with post-pandemic learning loss, these statistics highlight the urgent need for innovative, evidence-based approaches to education. Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as The Nation's Report Card, show that reading achievement continues to decline nationwide, with average reading scores for both 4th and 8th-grade students falling between 2022 and 2024. These trends have educators, families, and policymakers searching for solutions that can help students succeed in an increasingly complex world. My guest today is Justin Hassan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Uplift Education, the largest free public charter school network in North Texas. Serving more than 23,000 students across 20 campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Uplift Education has built a reputation for academic excellence, with 100% of its graduates earning acceptance to college. Justin is passionate about improving student outcomes and ensuring access to high-quality education for all learners. Throughout his career, he has helped increase the percentage of students performing at grade level by 18% and improved student performance on nationally normed literacy assessments by 9% year over year. His work is grounded in research-based instructional practices and a commitment to educational equity. In this conversation, Justin and I discuss the state of literacy in America, the challenges facing today's students and educators, the role of curriculum and instruction in improving outcomes, and what it truly means to provide every child with a modern, meaningful, and equitable education. We also explore how schools can foster a lifelong love of learning while preparing students for success in college, careers, and an ever-changing global marketplace.   For more information: https://uplifteducation.org/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: @JustinHassan   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices