The Right to Read Film Shedding Light on Reading Crisis
“Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.” —Frederick Douglass
When a child can’t read, their chances of incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment increase. With over 60% of Brown County’s young people currently NOT reading proficiently, our community recognizes the crucial time we are in and the actions we need to take to support the future of our community and the success of our young people. The Achieve Brown County Collective Impact Partnership (ABC) convened partners to watch the documentary, the Right to Read and discuss the implications of the films themes on our own community.
“The Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.” The Right to Read Film
Following the screening, the event featured a dynamic panel discussion with representatives from key educational sectors:
- Early Childhood Education Sector:
- Stephanie Springer, Encompass
- K-12 Education Sector
- Jessica Malcore, Green Bay Area Public Schools
- David Johns, Green Bay Area Public Schools
- Higher Education Sector
- Dr. Samantha Meister, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
- Dr. Tim Kaufman, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
The panel provided valuable insights into the state of literacy across the educational spectrum, from early childhood to higher education. Their perspectives underscored the importance of a coordinated, community-wide effort to address the literacy challenges facing our students.
Right to Read explores the critical issues surrounding literacy and education, shedding light on the challenges many children encounter in accessing the resources they need to develop strong reading skills. The film resonated deeply with our audience, sparking meaningful conversations about the role we all play in ensuring that every child has the right to read.
Our guests included community leaders, educators, and advocates who share our commitment to creating a brighter future for all children in Brown County. The discussions that followed the screening were both insightful and inspiring, reinforcing the collective commitment to tackling literacy challenges head-on.
“Illiteracy is one of the most solvable issues of our time. We have the research. We have the practice. We have to do what’s best for our children.” —Dr. Kymyona Burk, Ed.D, Senior Policy Fellow, Excel in Ed
While this initial viewing was by invitation only, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting public events. These upcoming screenings will provide an opportunity for the broader community to engage with the film and join the conversation on how we can work together to improve literacy outcomes for every child in our county.
