Alaska Science of Reading Symposium

May 1-3, 2026
Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center
Anchorage, Alaska

Keynote Speakers

Elizabeth Bassford, MSEd

Vice President, Content and Implementation
Curriculum Associates
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Jan Hasbrouck, PhD

Consultant/Researcher
JH Educational Services
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Elfrieda "Freddy" Hiebert, PhD

President/CEO
TextProject
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Lindsay Kemeny, MS

Teacher & Author
Davis School District
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Timothy Shanahan, PhD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus
University of Illinois at Chicago
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ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

The 2026 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium brought educators, leaders, and partners together to continue Alaska’s shared climb toward strong, equitable literacy outcomes for every student. Grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with the Alaska Reads Act, the fifth annual symposium focused on evidence-based instruction, sustained implementation, and measurable impact.

Over three days, participants deepened their understanding of effective literacy practices, strengthened systems that support readers of all ages, and collaborated across roles and regions to ensure every Alaskan child is supported on their journey to becoming a skilled and confident reader.

Our 2026 theme was, “Continuing the Climb: Evidence, Effort, Impact.”

OUR GOAL

Implement change that effectively connects reading science with classroom and leadership practices to increase reading proficiency for students.

What does “Science of Reading” mean in Alaska?

The Science of Reading is an ongoing field of study that examines the last fifty years of research to determine the most effective way to teach reading. A scientific approach to reading instruction includes explicit, systematic, instruction in phonological awareness (sounds), phonics, fluency (ability to read accurately and at an appropriate rate), vocabulary, and comprehension.

What can attendees expect?

Our challenge is to ensure every child is proficient in reading with access to skilled educators implementing evidence-based practices. Alaska’s Science of Reading Symposium will explore the research, its implications, and the urgency of action for students across our great state.

TOGETHER WE WILL:

Ground Alaska education stakeholders in a cohesive understanding of the science of reading.

Engage in courageous conversations about Alaska’s reading performance and how to move the needle on student outcomes.

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Elizabeth Bassford, MSEd

Vice President, Content and Implementation
Curriculum Associates
Elizabeth Bassford serves as vice president of content and implementation at Curriculum Associates and has dedicated her 44-year career to the art and science of literacy. With degrees from NYU and Fordham and a national reputation for guiding transformative initiatives, Elizabeth speaks on conditions most favorable to building a highly literate, thriving populace.

Jan Hasbrouck, PhD

Consultant/Researcher
JH Educational Services
Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D. is an award-winning researcher, educational consultant, and author who works with schools and agencies in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Hasbrouck worked as a reading specialist and literacy coach for 15 years and later became a professor. Her research in reading fluency, academic assessment and interventions, and instructional coaching has been widely published. She is the author, coauthor, and co-editor of several books along with some assessment tools. She continues to collaborate with researchers and school colleagues on projects related to reading interventions, assessment, and instructional coaching. She enjoys volunteering at her grandson’s K-8 school in Seattle.

Elfrieda Hiebert, PhD

President/CEO
TextProject
Dr. Elfrieda “Freddy” Hiebert is President and CEO of TextProject, a nonprofit that provides open-access resources for beginning and struggling readers. She has served as a primary-grade teacher in California as well as a teacher educator and researcher at the University of Kentucky, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Michigan, and University of California, Berkeley. Her research on fostering fluency, vocabulary, and knowledge through appropriate texts has been widely published and recognized with honors including the Oscar Causey Award (Literacy Research Association) and the William S. Gray Citation of Merit Award (International Literacy Association).

Lindsay Kemeny, MS

Teacher & Author
Davis School District
Lindsay Kemeny is an elementary school teacher, speaker, and author with a passion for literacy and applying research to practice. After her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and depression, she began her deep dive into effective literacy instruction for all children. She enjoys presenting locally and nationally, and co-hosting the Literacy Talks podcast. She is the author of the books, 7 Mighty Moves, 7 Mighty Moves Reading Resources, and Rock Your Literacy Block. She loves being in the classroom every day, teaching kids to read and write.

Timothy Shanahan, PhD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

University of Illinois at Chicago

Timothy Shanahan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools, and Visiting Research Professor at Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is author/editor of more than 300 publications including the book, Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives (Harvard Education Press, 2025). His research emphasizes the connections between learning to read and learning to write, literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement. He was recently recognized as one of the top 2% of scientists in the world (Ioannidis, Boyack, & Baas, 2020). Professor Shanahan is past president of the International Literacy Association. He served on the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Literacy under Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama. Shanahan took a leadership role on the National Reading Panel (NRP), convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the request of Congress to evaluate research on methods for teaching reading. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007 and is a former first-grade teacher. For more information, visit his website: www.shanahanonliteracy.com