From Confusion to Clarity:
Turning Data Into Instructional Impact

The Oncenter | Syracuse, NY
May 5–6, 2026

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WE ARE ALL BETTER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER

#TRLSummit2026 is headed to Syracuse, New York! Join a community of educators, researchers, and leaders committed to understanding and using literacy data to transform student outcomes.

Over two powerful days, we’ll:

  • Dispel misconceptions about literacy assessment and data use.
  • Explore the latest research from the nation’s leading experts.
  • Translate numbers into action so every student receives instruction aligned to their needs.

When we move from confusion to clarity, we unlock the power to teach with purpose, precision, and impact.

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Our Keynote

Reading Assessment: Why We Do the Things We Do

Dr. Christopher Schatschneider, a leading expert in educational psychology and Associate Director of the Florida Center for Reading Research, brings his deep knowledge of reading development and assessment to The Reading League Summit with an engaging opening keynote. With decades of experience at the intersection of research, measurement, and instruction, Dr. Schatschneider will walk participants through essential lessons learned through the history of reading assessment. Blending insight with humor and clarity, he will highlight how shifts in assessment practices have impacted classroom instruction—and what educators can take away to inform their own teaching today. This session will bridge research and practice, helping us understand where reading assessment has been, where it’s going—and why it matters for our students.

Why Attend the Summit

  • Engage directly with leading assessment researchers and practitioners in various school roles who have deep knowledge of the science of reading.

  • Gain practical tools to better interpret and apply literacy data to accelerate your students’ growth in reading.

  • Network with peers, district leaders, and national experts – be a part of a community committed to implementing effective reading instruction.

  • Leave with knowledge to create an effective, efficient, and comprehensive reading assessment system for your classroom, school, or district.

Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your school team together to examine assessment practices through a research-based lens. You’ll leave equipped to confidently select reading assessments, analyze student and system data, and lead effective school data meetings—turning information into instructional impact that directly benefits your students.

Hyatt Regency Mccormick Place Chicago

Why Attend the Summit

Engage directly with leading assessment researchers and practitioners in various school roles who have deep knowledge of the science of reading.

Gain practical tools to better interpret and apply literacy data to accelerate your students’ growth in reading.

Network with peers, district leaders, and national experts - be a part of a community committed to implementing effective reading instruction.

Leave with knowledge to create an effective, efficient, and comprehensive reading assessment system for your classroom, school, or district.

Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your school team together to examine assessment practices through a research-based lens. You’ll leave equipped to confidently select reading assessments, analyze student and system data, and lead effective school data meetings—turning information into instructional impact that directly benefits your students.

The Panels

Taking Action on Classroom Data

Moderator:
Margaret Goldberg

Panelists:
Coming soon

Classroom assessment data should do more than describe students’ reading skills—it should drive instruction. This panel will explore how educators can collect and interpret data that captures both word recognition and language comprehension skills. Panelists will discuss how to analyze Tier 1 data, design class-wide interventions, and plan for small-group instruction that focuses on decoding, language, and comprehension skills. As an elementary literacy coach, Moderator Margaret Goldberg will guide the conversation toward practical approaches for making assessment efficient, meaningful, and instructionally relevant.

Taking Action on Student Data

Moderator:
Dr. Sarah Brown

Panelists:
Jessica Toste

Effective data use begins with understanding the learner behind the numbers. This panel will explore how educators can interpret and act on student-level data in ways that are both equitable and instructionally sound. Moderator Dr. Sarah Brown will guide panelists in discussing how to consider students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds when interpreting screening results, integrate progress monitoring with classroom formative assessments, and match students to texts for various instructional purposes. Participants will gain practical insights for translating assessment data into responsive and inclusive teaching decisions.

Taking Action on District Data

Moderator:
Dr. Brian McMahon

Panelists:
Kelly Powell Smith
Kim St. Martin

District-level assessment data can guide strategic decisions, but only when systems capture the right information and interpret it thoughtfully. This panel, moderated by Dr. Brian McMahon, Director of Accountability and Research at Indian River School District, will take a leadership-focused perspective on building effective and efficient assessment systems. Assessment experts will join him to explore how to select valid and reliable tools to build a cohesive, district-wide system, including research-based guidance on when and how to integrate measures of language.

Taking Action on Policy

Moderator:
Kymyona Burk

Panelists:
Coming soon

Legislation can be a powerful lever for improving literacy outcomes when it’s paired with practical strategies and informed decision-making. In this panel, Moderator Kymyona Burk will lead panelists in a discussion examining how to effectively implement screening legislation, identify gaps in current policies, and leverage existing frameworks to advance literacy. Attendees will gain insights into the intersection of policy, practice, and data, and learn strategies for making legislation work for students and educators.

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New to The Summit: Data Workshops

At The Reading League Summit 2026, Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller will lead two hands-on workshops that bring school literacy data to life and illustrate the research-based principles of assessment that are shared in the Summit’s panels. Using decoding and language comprehension data from a real elementary school, participants will engage in a live analysis of what the numbers tell us about student learning and next steps for instruction. Together, we’ll move beyond numbers and spreadsheets to connect data directly to instructional decision-making. Whether you’re a coach, teacher, or administrator, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what your data means and confidence in how to use your own data when you get home.

Summit 2026 Agenda

Day One – May 5

The Oncenter, 800 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202

Outline agenda from 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Day Two – May 6

The Oncenter, 800 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202

Outline agenda from 8:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

What Past Attendees Are Saying

“I just attended my first Summit, and it did not disappoint. This event was more than a conference—it was an opportunity for the Science of Reading community to come together, reflect, and engage in honest conversations about our progress and the misconceptions that have developed along the way.”
Samantha Lasich Caesar
“What an amazing conference! Thank you for bringing together so many great minds to discuss the future of reading. Our team is still talking about all their takeaways.”
Maya Valencia Goodall, M.Ed., M.A., Chief Strategy Officer, CORE Learning
“As a new board member of The Reading League California, this was my first TRL Summit. I highly recommend it! I love the focus on making sure research informs practice and practice informs research. Both are essential for student learning!”
Matt Hill, CEO at Waterford.org
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What is the Summit?

The Reading League’s Summit is a one-of-a-kind national gathering that brings together researchers, practitioners, and literacy leaders to examine a timely topic related to the science of reading. Unlike a traditional conference, the Summit offers an immersive shared experience: panelists elevate research from differing perspectives, unpack points of confusion, and highlight the implications for classroom practice. The 2026 theme, From Confusion to Clarity: Turning Data Into Instructional Impact, will focus on how educators can use data effectively to maximize student learning. Analyzing data from real students and schools will be woven throughout the event, grounding the conversations in authentic contexts. Over two days, everyone is in the same room, learning together as essential questions about reading assessment – drawn directly from the field – are explored and answered. Attendees leave with clarity and confidence to translate insights from data into action, strengthen instructional decision-making, and drive meaningful student outcomes.

Hyatt Regency Mccormick Place Chicago

Hotel Accommodations

Book your stay using our unique booking link with our special discounted rates at any of the hotels below.

Marriott Downtown Hotel >
Collegian Hotel >
Parkview Hotel >

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration fee: $475.00
Includes:

  • Access to all sessions (no need to register for individual sessions)
  • Refreshments
  • Lunch on May 5 & 6

We accept all major credit cards.

Email purchase order to Finance@thereadingleague.org

Checks payable to The Reading League and mailed to:
The Reading League
103 Wyoming Street
Second Floor
Syracuse, NY 13204

Yes, sponsorship opportunities for the Summit 2026 are available. For details and pricing, contact Madeline Chilbert at Madeline@thereadingleague.org. Sponsorships are limited and sell out quickly.

No, we are not accepting proposals for this event.

Yes, all attendees will earn 9.25 credit hours and receive a certificate of completion after the Summit.

Yes, we have 3 different hotel blocks available for this years Summit. Book by April 4, 2026, to lock in the discounted rates. Rooms sell out quickly—reserve early! 

Please check your spam folder for an email from Cvent, our event platform. If it’s not there, check with your IT department to ensure Cvent is not blocked.

Confirmation details can also be requested by emailing events@thereadingleague.org.

Modify or cancel:

Click the modify button found at the bottom of your confirmation email. Enter your email address and confirmation number to change your registration. If your plans change and you would like to transfer your registration to another person, please contact events@thereadingleague.org.

Refunds:

The Reading League will fully refund any cancellations prior to or on May 5, 2026. Cancellations made after May 5 will not be subject to a refund.

Yes, upon registration, list any dietary restrictions you have, and we will accommodate them to the best of our ability.

Yes, our venue is ADA-compliant. Upon registration, please list any aids or services you may need, and we will accommodate them to the best of our ability. 

The Reading League’s W-9 form

Have a questions not answered here? Contact The Reading League’s event team at events@thereadingleague.org.