Multilingual Learners and The Science of Reading, Can it be Done?

In this powerful episode of Literacy Now Together, hosts Brett Tingley (Parents for Reading Justice) and Kareem Weaver (FULCRUM) sit down with Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Antonio Fierro for an illuminating conversation on the science of reading and its vital application to multilingual learners. Drawing on decades of research and classroom practice, Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Fierro unpack how evidence-based instruction must integrate language and literacy development across all content areas—and across every grade level. This is beneficial for all students, and critical for multilingual learners. They call for teacher preparation programs to break out of silos, uniting speech-language, psychology, and education disciplines to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to support English Learners from day one. The discussion spans topics from linguistic responsiveness and dyslexia identification to higher education reform and economic mobility, underscoring that literacy is both a bridge to equity and a shared responsibility. As the guests remind us, all teachers are language teachers—and every child deserves instruction that honors their language, culture, and potential.Resources:Literacy Foundations for English Learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction, by Elsa Cárdenas-HaganEnglish Learners and DyslexiaInternational Dyslexia Association Revised 2025 Definition of DyslexiaInternational Dyslexia Association Spanish Version of the Knowledge and Practice StandardsEvidence Advocacy Center - Language Variations Resource MenuReading UniverseMultitiered System of Supports for English LearnersReport of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and YouthReport of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English, 2017Valley Speech Language and Learning Center95 Percent GroupSocialsElsa:LinkedIn / elsachaganX / @DrElsa_CHaganFacebook / @ValleySpeechAntonio:LinkedIn / antonio-a-fierroLinkedIn / 95-percent-group-incX / @aa_fierroX / @95percentgroupFacebook / @95percentgroupInstagram / @95percentgroupllc____________________________________________________________Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction. Our vision is to speed the nationwide shift to evidence-based literacy instruction so that 95% of students read proficiently.About Brett Tingley: https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bioAbout Kareem Weaver: https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBioAbout Parents for Reading Justice: https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjusticeAbout FULCRUM:https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy Join us on our socials, watch our documentary, take our Masterclass, register your parent group, pay it forward, and DONATE!DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!#literacynow #readinginstruction #education #awareness #teacher #teaching #fyp #change