Spotlight on Dyslexia 2026
The Premier Virtual Conference on Dyslexia & the Science of Reading
Join thousands of educators and literacy advocates to gain practical strategies, cutting-edge research, and actionable solutions to support struggling readers.
Why attend?
- Master Proven Strategies aligned to the Science of Reading.
- Earn CE Credits: 30+ hours of live and on-demand professional development.
- New Advocacy Track: Tools for parents and educators to drive systemic change.
“I learned more about how to teach reading and writing in that conference than in four years of University.”
Who Should Attend This Dyslexia Professional Development Event?
Whether you are looking for foundational dyslexia training for teachers, advanced structured literacy professional development, or policy-level insights, this event is designed for education leaders who want to make a tangible difference.
- Educators & Specialists: K-12 Teachers, Reading Specialists, Interventionists, SLPs, and Literacy Coaches.
- School Leaders: District Administrators, Principals, and Curriculum Directors.
- Families & Advocates: Parents and guardians of children with dyslexia or reading barriers.
What You’ll Learn About Dyslexia, Structured Literacy and Intervention
Attendees will leave this structured literacy conference with the knowledge and practical strategies to:
- Identify early signs of dyslexia and reading challenges.
- Implement structured literacy using evidence-based, systemic instruction.
- Empower struggling and neurodivergent learners with confidence.
- Advocate for systemic literacy improvements (via our new Advocacy Track).
“I enjoyed all of the brain research. This is so helpful when explaining to parents.”
— Stacy Brizendine, Educator
Earn 30+ Hours of Dyslexia Continuing Education (CE) Certificates
With a wealth of expert sessions packed into one day, we know you won’t be able to catch everything live. That is why your registration includes extended access to all session recordings and slide decks so you can learn at your own pace.
30+ hours of Continuing Education (CE) certificates are available. Our CE certificates are recognized by Wilson Language Systems, the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA; up to 10 hours), and the states of Texas, New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Louisiana, ensuring professional growth and accreditation.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Maggie Snowling
Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Oxford
Keynote: Language Development and Reading Disorder
Dr. Charles Hulme
Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Education, University of Oxford
Keynote: Language – the Heart of Reading
Conference agenda
10:00 AM
Language – the Heart of Reading
Dr. Charles Hulme
11:00 AM
Advocacy 101: What Parents of Children with Dyslexia Need to Know to Drive Real Change
Missy Purcell
Building Strong Tier 1 Systems: Sparta’s Journey to Improved Early Reading Outcomes
Erin Dewey & Marie Parisi
Chronos and Kairos Time: Shaping the Rhythm of Reading Intervention Sessions
Kristin Barbour
Oral Language: The Heart and Core of Reading and Writing Proficiency
Dr. Margie Gillis, CALT
12:00 PM
Beyond Words: An Immersive Dyslexia Simulation
Dr. Terrie Noland, CALT
The Power of Coherence: Literacy Systems that Work
Dr. Karol Ann Moore, CALT & Dr. Catherine Hungerford Scott, CALT
From Talk to Text: How Purposeful Language Instruction Supports Students with Dyslexia
Dr. Allison Slone
Math Disabilities in Students with Dyslexia: When Accommodations are Not Enough
Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling
1:00 PM
Shining a Light on Breakthroughs: The Learning Ally Awards Ceremony
1:30 PM
The Hidden Struggle: Addressing the Impact of Dyslexia
Dr. Tracy Johnson-Rockmore
The Learning Ally Literacy Mosaic – 6 Competencies, 1 Path to Literacy
Erin Walker, Howard Bell, Dr. Alyssa Goldberg O’Rourke, Resha Conroy, SLP
Integrating Reading and Writing from Sound to Sentence
Dr. Megan Gierka & Nicole Ormandy
Developmental Language Disorder: Recognizing and Supporting Students with DLD
Ryan Buggy
2:30 PM
Language Development and Reading Disorder
Dr. Maggie Snowling
3:30 PM
Beyond Reading: Supporting the Whole Child After a Dyslexia Diagnosis
Rebecca Bush, CALT
We Must Lead with Language as We Intervene on Words
Dr. Terrie Noland, CALT & Dr. Danielle Thompson
From Strategy to Results: Structured Literacy in Action
Bianca Dino & Katie Ebbeson
Science of Reading Essentials: Practical Applications Through a Structured Literacy Approach
Deanna Fogarty
From Sounds to Stored Words: Integrated Language Instruction for Students with Dyslexia
Casey Harrison, CALT
4:30 PM
Strategies to Make Learning More Accessible
Jacquelyn Taylor
Building Readers, Changing Futures: A Science of Reading Success Story
Dr. Michelle Rodriguez
Multilingual Learners + Dyslexia: High-Impact Strategies for Spanish-Speaking Students
Jen Doyle & Barbara Steinberg
The Power of Oral Language From the Beginning
Dr. Angela Venters
EdTalk sessions
Short, focused presentations from practitioners and researchers across the field.
EdTalk
Unlocking Syntax: Practical Tools for Teaching Sentence Structure in K–4
EdTalk
How to Use a Six-Step Explicit Phonics Lesson Sequence to Enhance Core Reading Instruction
EdTalk
Beyond Words: Culturally Responsive Dyslexia Assessment for English Learners
EdTalk
From Unteachable to Unstoppable: Proven Strategies that Empowered Our Neurodivergent Family
EdTalk
Systematic, Not Supplemental: Integrating Morphology into Structured Literacy Instruction
EdTalk
Intentional, Individualized, and Impactful: Designing Targeted Supports for Students with Dyslexia
EdTalk
Structured Literacy for Older Students: It’s Not Too Late!
EdTalk
AI Differentiation for Dyslexia: Evidence-Based Strategies for Rigor and Access
EdTalk
Small Moves, Big Breakthroughs: Three High-Impact Practices for Students with Dyslexia
EdTalk
Reframing Anxiety: Turning Classroom Worries into Learning Wins
EdTalk
Dyslexia and Special Education Services — Implications for School Leaders, Dyslexia Practitioners, and Evaluation Personnel
EdTalk
Embracing Neurodiversity: A Book Walk Showcase
EdTalk
Weaving Strong Readers: Using Choice Boards to Practice Literacy Skills
EdTalk
Dyslexia Instruction That’s Targeted
EdTalk
Dyslexia, Disproportionality, and the Systems We Don’t Question
EdTalk
First Rule of Dyslexia Assessment: Never Just Test for Dyslexia
EdTalk
Implementing an Assistive Technology Plan: A Pathway to Student Success
EdTalk