For the third consecutive year, the 2021 National Literacy Summit will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Presented by Achieve3000 and Successful Practices Network, this year’s Summit gathers more than 20 leading literacy experts who will share research, practical strategies, and insights on the most pressing literacy challenges facing K–12 schools. Since its launch in 2019, the Summit has become a popular professional development event and networking opportunity, attracting thousands of educators dedicated to advancing reading and learning for all students.
“This year’s Summit provides an opportunity to reexamine what we thought we knew about literacy through the lens of our experiences in 2020,” said Ray McNulty, President of Successful Practices Network. “School communities continue to face difficult challenges, and this event is designed to equip educators with tools and strategies to meet those challenges effectively.”
Sessions will be delivered on a modern virtual platform built to create an engaging and interactive experience. Attendees can participate in live polling, submit questions through moderated Q&A, and engage with presenters and peers via chat. The format is designed to support collaborative learning and meaningful professional conversations while also providing ample opportunities to network with other educators and education leaders.
Recognized thought leaders and practitioners—including Drs. Pedro Noguera, Doug Fisher, Gabi Bell, Anthony Muhammad, and Bill Daggett—will reflect on lessons learned during the 2020–21 school year and explore how those lessons can help shape the next chapter in literacy instruction. Featured session topics include Coping, Adjusting, and Transforming in Disruptive Times, Overcoming the Achievement Gap Trap, The Science of Reading, Equity-Focused Leadership, and other essential literacy themes.
Featured Sessions
Creating Powerful School Cultures
Dr. Pedro Noguera — Best-selling author, education influencer, and Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. Dr. Noguera is a respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and committed advocate for equity in education. His work addresses the intersection of education, social justice, and public policy.
In this session, Dr. Noguera will explore practical strategies to cultivate school cultures that promote academic learning and positive social development. He will highlight effective rituals and practices schools have adopted to establish a shared vision, engage teachers, students, and families, and foster the values and routines that lead to improved outcomes. Participants will learn actionable steps for building trust, aligning expectations, and creating environments where all students can thrive.
Equity-Focused Leadership: Challenging the Status Quo
Dr. Salome Thomas-EL — Author, speaker, and Head of School at Thomas Edison Charter School in Wilmington, DE. Dr. Thomas-EL is an award-winning educator and recognized leader who has focused his career on expanding opportunities for high-poverty, underserved students. He is the author of I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence and has received honors such as the Marcus A. Foster Award and the University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Luther King Award.
Dr. Thomas-EL will discuss how equity-focused leaders take risks, make courageous decisions, and challenge systems that limit student opportunity. He will outline strategies for creating inclusive, rigorous 21st-century curricula that emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, and social-emotional development. Attendees will leave with practical guidance for reframing school priorities, designing equitable instructional practices, and advancing outcomes for students of color, low-income learners, and English language learners.
The Science of Reading: From Vision to Outcomes
Dr. Gabi Bell — Director of Instruction for Literacy, Biliteracy, Humanities, Social Studies, World Languages, and the Arts for the Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, WI. Dr. Bell’s research emphasizes the Science of Reading in multilingual and culturally diverse instructional settings. Her scholarship includes studies on bilingual education, intercultural pedagogy, and education as a vehicle for social transformation.
This session will examine what decades of research about reading and instruction reveal about effective practices for ensuring students reach grade-level proficiency. Dr. Bell will translate evidence from the Science of Reading into classroom strategies that support multilingual learners and diverse student populations, focusing on how to design instruction that improves decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, and long-term reading achievement.
Rebound: Recovering Literacy Learning
Dr. Doug Fisher — Teacher, prolific author, and nationally recognized speaker. Dr. Fisher is known for his work on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design. He serves as Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and has extensive classroom and leadership experience. His awards include recognition from professional reading and teacher education organizations for his contributions to the field.
Dr. Fisher’s presentation will focus on strategies for recovering and accelerating literacy learning after extended disruptions. He will offer practical approaches for assessment, targeted intervention, and classroom-based practices that help teachers identify learning gaps and rebuild strong, sustainable reading skills across grades.
Registration and Access
Attendees of the National Literacy Summit will be able to choose from 19 one-hour live sessions on November 9. All registrants will also have on-demand access to session recordings for up to one year following the event, allowing flexible review and implementation of content. Participants may earn up to 19 continuing education (CE) certificates. The registration fee for the full Summit is $99. Register today to secure your spot and access a full day of research-based strategies, practical tools, and opportunities for professional collaboration.