If you’ve ever left a conference wishing for more time to connect research, data, and classroom practice, The Reading League Summit is for you. This unique event brings together educators, researchers, and leaders for a shared journey toward one goal: using literacy data to make a real difference for students. Here are five things you should know before you join us in May 2026.
1. Everyone learns together.
At the Summit, there are no competing sessions or scattered schedules. Every participant—whether you’re a teacher, researcher, principal, district leader, school psychologist, university faculty, coach, or consultant—spends two days in the same room, engaging in one shared experience. The result? A genuine sense of collaboration and a shared understanding that connects research, assessment, and instruction across roles.
2. The research is the focus, and so is the practice.
This year’s theme, From Confusion to Clarity: Turning Data Into Instructional Impact, focuses on the challenge of interpreting and applying reading data in elementary schools. You’ll hear directly from experts who develop, test, and implement assessments in school contexts. Together, we’ll explore what literacy assessments truly measure, how to identify the right tools, and how to use data to make instructional decisions that improve outcomes for all learners. While there will be a small focus on extending the research into middle and high school during the district data panel, most of our time will be spent on using early literacy data to prevent later reading difficulties.
3. The sessions spark dialogue and shared understanding.
The Summit’s signature panel format brings researchers and practitioners together for rich, moderated discussions. These conversations go beyond presentations—they identify key findings, clarify misconceptions, and foster deeper understanding through dialogue. Attendees will explore how research informs classroom practice and the throughline from research to policy to implementation. You’ll get a front-row seat to authentic conversations that connect the science of reading with everyday instruction and with the broader systems that support it, gaining insights that bridge research, practice, and policy.
4. You’ll gain insight into what makes assessments effective.
In the keynote, Dr. Christopher Schatschneider of the Florida Center for Reading Research will take attendees behind the scenes of how reading assessments are developed, sharing lessons learned from his career focused on reading assessment and intervention. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what makes an assessment valid, reliable, and instructionally useful—and leave more confident in choosing and using assessments that truly inform teaching.
5. You’ll apply what you learn—together.
In hands-on data workshops led by Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller, participants will work with real K–5 decoding and language comprehension data to uncover what the numbers reveal about student learning and next instructional steps. Bringing your team amplifies the experience—teachers, coaches, and school leaders can collaborate on-site and leave ready to apply shared insights across classrooms and school systems.
The Reading League Summit is designed to help you move from information overload to instructional clarity. You’ll leave with practical tools, a stronger understanding of assessment, and renewed confidence in your ability to turn data into meaningful literacy outcomes for every student.
5 Things You Should Know About The Reading League Summit
