Dive into the dynamic intersection of education and politics as we explore the science of reading with Dr. Almitra Berry.Discover insights into literacy plans, evidence-based instruction, and state proposals aimed at enhancing reading education.Uncover the disproportionate impact of third-grade retention policies on marginalized students and learn how to advocate for change.Don&apos;t miss this enlightening discussion on education and advocacy! Tune in now. 🌟

Episode 85: Education Equity and Reform: A Conversation with Florida State Representative Susan Valdes

“We have to do better”… That’s Dr. Almitra Berry’s heart-felt answer when asked about educating children from diverse cultural and language backgrounds.Dr. Berry has a strong message for educators and school system leaders who don’t understand that cultural differences can profoundly affect the quality of education these children experience…“You have children with failing test scores. You have teachers who want to teach but aren’t given the freedom or allowed to use the tools and strategies they need. You have teachers leaving the profession in droves.And you have tax-paying parents who are very dissatisfied with their children’s education but don’t know how to effect change.”In other words, our education system has a crisis on its hands. And this crisis affects all of us, not just teachers and those in the educational establishment.It’s a crisis we must address if we’re going to have an exceptional nation with school systems free of systemic oppression.We need to take it to heart. We need to act on Dr. Berry’s message. It’s a message she’s deeply passionate about.As an educator, speaker, and author, she focuses on the education of the most historically marginalized: culturally and linguistically diverse learners.She has worked diligently for over 30 years to help marginalized learners, learners of color, of linguistic and cultural diversity in low-wealth urban school districts, experience higher academic achievements.Dr. Berry is on a mission. A mission bigger than herself. A mission to change the conversation happening around the topics of education, equity, and intellectual emancipation for culturally and linguistically diverse learners.But she can’t do it alone. So she’s looking for leaders to join her. Is that you?If you’re nodding your head and saying “Yes!” as you read this, we invite you to subscribe and listen to&nbsp;The Educational Equity, Emancipation Podcast.