The Right To Read

The Right to Read | USA | Documentary | 80 min | Jenny Mackenzie

Presented by Fort Worth Report

Learn the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.

Fed up with the bleak reading scores in his own community, activist Kareem Weaver files an NAACP petition demanding change in Oakland schools' reading curricula. Working with Ms. Causey, a first-grade teacher in the lowest-performing school, the two go against district mandates to bring in evidence-based literacy tools to see if they can turn reading scores around.

ALL-ACCESS FESTIVAL PASS HOLDERS will have first access into the auditorium when doors open, followed by individual ticket holders.

Proceeds from individual ticket sales will go to Reading Partners

Following the screening there will be Q&A with:

Heather Haynes Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Education at Trinity University

Heather teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on special education, inclusion, and reading instruction and conducts research related to educator preparation and educational systems. She has worked as an elementary teacher, K-12 literacy coach, state-level reading technical assistance specialist, and reading teacher preparation program coordinator on research and dissemination grants. She enjoys watercolor and spending time in far West Texas.

Robert Rogers, President of The Reading League

Robert Rogers is a Fort Worth Physician, a Reading Partners tutor and president of The Reading League Texas, which advocates for improved Reading Instruction in the state.

Michael Faggella-Luby

Professor in the Department of Teaching & Learning Sciences at TCU

Matthew Sgroi, Moderator, Fort Worth Report education reporter