Sonya Yates, CALT

Saved by grace. Life long learner. Mom of 2. Wife of Kevin. Beach lover. Dyslexia advocate. Tweets are my own.

[Mackinac Center @MackinacCenter]

We spoke with @kymyona_burk of @ExcelinEd about how Mississippi turned things around by identifying struggling readers early, giving them targeted support, and making sure every child could read by third grade, and why that same early focus could help Michigan students succeed too.

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

America's students spend 60B+ hours in classrooms each year. Are schools being held accountable for results? ExcelinEd's new video series breaks down how school accountability systems work—and how to make them stronger. https://t.co/aCRmjtLbSQ

[Kymyona Burk, Ed.D. @kymyona_burk]

MS is Advancing Adolescent Literacy (4-8) and is strengthening math instruction with the new Mississippi Math Act. #continuingtheMarathon

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

ExcelinEd in the field ➡️ Senior Policy Fellow Dr. Kymyona Burk gave a keynote address at the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition Summit and Day of Action! Kymyona shared insights on the "Mississippi Marathon" and what it takes to successfully implement literacy policies that lead to long-term student success.

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

📣 ICYMI ➡️ ExcelinEd Senior Policy Director Casey Taylor was featured in a recent article exploring how states are investing in literacy coaches to improve student reading outcomes. Read it now! https://t.co/GXVzSufMHW

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

ExcelinEd Senior Policy Fellow Dr. @kymyona_burk joined The Harvard EdCast podcast to explore how policy, teacher investment and clear implementation helped #Mississippi improve scores and strengthen student literacy skills!

Listen to the full episode on the Mississippi Marathon here: https://t.co/LKrJykOfk2 @hgse #literacymatters

[Sonya Yates, CALT @Sonyayates]

An amazing day!!
#LRC26

[Literacy Reimagined Conference @LiteracyReimag1]

📚 Day 1 of Literacy Reimagined 2026 — What a Start!

From powerful keynotes to practical classroom insights, the Daphne Civic Center was packed with educators ready to deepen their understanding of the Science of Reading.

We’re just getting started… Day 2, here we come!

[The Governing Board @GovBoard]

In her opening remarks, new board member @kymyona_burk shares how #NAEP results have lifted up the hard work of students, educators, and parents and families. "I look forward to improving the proficiency of students in elementary and secondary education."

[Sonya Yates, CALT @Sonyayates]

Congratulations, @kymyona_burk!

[The Governing Board @GovBoard]

Today we are joined by Under Secretary of @usedgov, Nicholas Kent, to swear our new and reappointed board members:

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

A great discussion with @rpondiscio, @BernerEd, @MsKurto and @CandalCara on the importance of content-rich instruction, what sets strong curricula apart and how states are improving literacy outcomes. #LiteracyMatters #EIE25

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

On behalf of our team, thank you to all our speakers, panelists and attendees for making the 2025 National Summit on Education a great success! #EIE25

[Representative Patricia Mueller @RepMueller]

Thank you @ExcelinEd for such an amazing panel about adolescent literacy. It is time to be relentless in addressing this. It is time to support our content teachers so they can be reading teachers and help students read more complex, domain specific texts. #EIE25 @kymyona_burk

[Kareem J. Weaver @KJWinEducation]

Some state and university Depts of Ed are being true to their communities and mission. Producing teachers who can teach children to read.

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

#Oklahoma lawmakers are taking action on literacy—and looking to proven solutions. States like #Mississippi have shown what's possible with strong early reading policies. Featuring insights from @ExcelinEd's Casey Taylor on how targeted support transforms outcomes: https://t.co/APPawEjWaq

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

Most #literacy policies focus on third grade—but what about students who still struggle to read in middle and high school? 🎧 Dr. @kymyona_burk  and Casey Taylor tackle adolescent literacy as the new frontier in K-12 literacy. Listen now: https://t.co/kPUs3FeIda

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

What happens after a state adopts the #ScienceOfReading? Check out @EdMarketBrief's article, featuring Dr. @kymyona_burk as she discusses the challenges of adopting a new curriculum and what steps states can take to promote successful implementation of these new policies. https://t.co/1X3BwQ53Ma

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

ExcelinEd in the field ➡️ Casey Taylor joined the #OK House Common Ed Committee to discuss strategies for improving 3rd grade reading. She highlighted #Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act and its impact on student outcomes. #LiteracyMatters

[Brett Tingley @brett_tingley]

🔥 “If the reading scores are low, you’re going to jail.” – Meek Mill, @REFORM.
At #TRLCONF2025, Hildebrand Pelzer III lays it bare: illiteracy or undiagnosed dyslexia are the through line to juvenile detention. We MUST break this cycle!

[Sonya Yates, CALT @Sonyayates]

“We have to get reading instruction right.”

Yes. Yes we do.

@HP3potential
#trlconf2025

[ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative, ALSDE @Alabama_Reading]

Onward and upward!