Stay up to date with the Iowa Reading Research Center by viewing archived monthly email updates from our director below.
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September 2022 - Free assistive technology consultation appointments resume after a summer hiatus.
August 2022 - Two literacy teachers talk about how they are getting ready for back-to-school.
July 2022 - We highlight a few IRRC Literacy Resources to use at home with your children, plus new staff introductions.
May 2022 - Dr. Reed reflects on the end of an era at the IRRC.
April 2022 - Dr. Reed on why meeting the instructional needs of every student is so important and our related blog post series.
March 2022 - Dr. Reed and staff at the IRRC share how their experiences with reading from their childhood led them to today.
February 2022 - Dr. Reed looks at how contacting your local legislators can make a difference during the legislative session.
January 2022 - Dr. Reed looks back at the IRRC's work and impact in 2021.
December 2021 - Dr. Reed explains the important role the IRRC Advisory Council plays.
November 2021 - Dr. Reed provides details on a new online platform for students and teachers for elementary school VPR.
October 2021 - Dr. Reed provides details on IRRC involvement in dyslexia events and dyslexia-related services and introduces new staff.
September 2021 - Dr. Reed gives an overview of some reading and writing projects currently
August 2021 - Dr. Reed describes a new research project with the Council Bluffs Community School District and introduces a new staff member.
July 2021 - See details on a new grant to study Varied Practice Reading for middle school and announces the newest eLearning module.
June 2021 - Discussion of the impact of summer literacy learning during an unprecedented year, and meet two new staff members.
May 2021 - Release of the eLearning Teaching Students to Map Phonemes to Graphemes module and introducing new staff.
April 2021 - Details about the Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement program, and meet new IRRC staff.
March 2021 - Graduate and undergraduate student staff are key to fulfilling our mission.
February 2021 - Details of a new study comparing approaches to scoring student writing and how to support literacy education during the legislative session.
January 2021 - A look back at the IRRC's previous year of work and a look ahead to the new year.
December 2020 - Launch of a second eLearning module on dyslexia, new pages on the website dedicated to dyslexia information, and introductions of new staff.
November 2020 - New virtual option for assistive technology consultation appointments, encouraging graduate students to work at the IRRC, and introductions of new staff.
October 2020 - Launch of the first eLearning module for secondary educators and introductions of new student staff.
September 2020 - A resumption of in-person assistive technology consultation appointments for families and a website refresh.
August 2020 - Information on plans to support educators and caregivers with blog content and adaptations to research for remote use.
July 2020 - An explanation of the new dyslexia legislation signed into law in Iowa.
June 2020 - Continuing literacy learning during summer and professional learning for teachers via IRRC eLearning.
May 2020 - Updates on our work for families and educators during the closure of schools.
April 2020 - Details on the new IRRC resources to support home literacy learning.
March 2020 - A look at the next IRRC eLearning module launching soon, and introductions of new student staff.
February 2020 - Information about communicating with legislators about literacy education and research, and introduction of a new staff member.
January 2020 - A look back and a look ahead at the IRRC's work.
December 2019 - A call for districts to participate in an upcoming study of Varied Practice Reading and introductions of new staff.
November 2019 - Learn about our fourth IRRC eLearning module launching soon, and meet new staff.
October 2019 - Announcement of our new one-on-one assistive technology consultation service, an introduction to our Student Assistive Technology Coordinators, and discussion of Dyslexia Awareness Month.
September 2019 - A third IRRC eLearning module, Effective Literacy Instruction, launches, a new staff introduction, and details of a new study taking place in juvenile justice schools.
August 2019 - Announcing the launch of the newest IRRC eLearning module, which features an instructional method and passage sets for practicing fluency.
July 2019 - A study this fall of new literacy curricula in the Marshalltown Community School District and its impact on students' writing skills, and introduction of new staff.
June 2019 - Looking beyond the notions of summer learning loss when researching summer reading.
May 2019 - Ongoing collaborations with Area Education Agencies and school districts on middle school literacy and new staff introductions.
April 2019 - Launch of the IRRC eLearning Dyslexia Overview module and introduction of new staff.
March 2019 - A discussion of writing additions to the Blueprint milestones and introduction of new student staff.
February 2019 - A look at the Iowa Early Literacy Survey results and a recap of the IRRC Legislative Reception.
January 2019 - A preview of the Jan. 24, 2019 IRRC Legislative Reception, a look back at the IRRC's most popular web resources from the past year, and an introduction of new student staff.
December 2018 - A look at IRRC involvement with colleges and universities.
November 2018 - Information about an IRRC survey for elementary schools and an introduction of new staff.
October 2018 - Details about a new AEA partnership and an introduction of new staff.
September 2018 - A look at results from our Effective Fluency Instruction for Fourth Graders study and an introduction of new IRRC staff.
August 2018 - An overview of the new Early Literacy Blueprint Initiative.
July 2018 - Information on the IRRC's involvement in a new literacy initiative in Kansas.
June 2018 - Updates on transitions in the Iowa Reading Research Center Advisory Council and among IRRC staff.
May 2018 - Appreciation for teachers as partners in research and for the inspiration they provide, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7-11).
April 2018 - An overview of IRRC created literacy resources and information about how libraries are sources of more literacy learning.
March 2018 - Details on a new IRRC study and introductions of new student staff members.
February 2018 - A recap of our Legislative Reception and other happenings at the Capitol.
January 2018 - Preview of our 2018 Legislative Reception and a recap of our Effective Literacy Strategy Instruction Training-of-Trainers event.
December 2017 - Interns focused on special education and literacy at the IRRC and we welcome a new staff member.
November 2017 - Information about an expansion of the PROPeL literacy initiative and information about National Novel Writing Month Young Writers Program.
October 2017 - An update on IRRC literacy professional development efforts.
September 2017 - An update on the IRRC's work with the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer Learning Program and a recap of other work this summer, and an introduction of new IRRC staff.
August 2017 - New literacy professional development to be delivered to the field via training-of-trainers, IRRC Advisory Council update, IRRC student staff.
July 2017 - Summer reading blog posts, update on the IRRC's work with the Ames Community School District, and #FridayReads Recommendations videos.
June 2017 - Recap of the inaugural PROPeL initiative conference, improvements to our blog, and update on IRRC's work with the Sioux City Community School District.
May 2017 - Information about a new set of translated blog posts and bookmarks for non-English speaking families.
April 2017 - A look at the IRRC's work with colleges and universities, featuring dyslexia training and an assessment data system.
March 2017 - Overview of IRRC website redesign, description and examples of types of IRRC blog posts, IRRC resources on the website.
February 2017 - Recap of IRRC Legislative Reception at the capitol and participation of IRRC staff in Iowa House and Senate Education Committee meetings.
January 2017 - Legislative Reception preview, announcement of PROPeL partners, new website preview and new Literacy Consultant Jen Knight
December 2016 - Intensive Summer Reading Program results
November 2016 - Forthcoming IRRC professional development and American Education Week recognition
October 2016 - "Practitioners and Researchers Overcoming Problems of Literacy” (PROPeL) program for alternative schools and juvenile justice facilities
September 2016 - IRRC Advisory Council update; Universal Screening dos and don’ts; and library card sign up month
August 2016 - Conclusion of Intensive Summer Reading Program; online dyslexia training for students in teacher preparation programs; introducing new communications specialist
July 2016 - Intensive Summer Reading Program visits; white paper on handwriting instruction; online literacy resource facilitation guides; and IRRC in the UI Mobile Museum
June 2016 - Intensive Summer Reading Program collaborators; IRRC and UI Mobile Museum and book giveaway
May 2016 - Intensive Summer Reading Program professional development; guest blogs; and National Teacher Appreciation Day
April 2016 - Intensive Summer Reading Program details and National Poetry Month
March 2016 - Website redesign and new content and National March into Literacy Month