Leading Equity Podcast: Why Reading Comprehension Needs a Cultural Shift

The national conversation around the Science of Reading has gained momentum—but is it leaving too much behind?

In a compelling episode of the Leading Equity Podcast, SEAL’s Dr. Martha I. Martinez and Dr. Endia J. Lindo of Texas Christian University expand on ideas from their co-authored piece, Rethinking Reading: A Yes/And Approach. Together, they challenge the way the Science of Reading is often interpreted and implemented, calling for a more complete and inclusive understanding that centers language, culture and comprehension.

The conversation is hosted by Dr. Sheldon L. Eakins, author of Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students. With over 15 years in education, Dr. Eakins has served as a teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and Director of Special Education. His podcast elevates voices pushing for more inclusive and student-centered educational practices.

“You can't really divorce language, culture, and reading,” said Dr. Martinez. “Language is how we make sense of the world. And that shapes how we learn—especially how we learn to read.”

In the episode, Drs. Martinez and Lindo discuss:

• Why comprehension and oral language must be prioritized alongside decoding
• How current research fails to fully represent multilingual learners, neurodiverse students, and speakers of African American English and other dialects
• The dangers of deficit-based approaches to bilingualism
• How educators can leverage students’ cultural and linguistic assets in reading instruction

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode:
Leading Equity Podcast: Why Reading Comprehension Needs a Culture Shift

📰 Read the op-ed that inspired the episode:
"Rethinking Reading: A Yes/And Approach"

“We know better. Let’s do better,” says Dr. Lindo. “Reading is culturally bound, and our instruction and research must reflect that.”

This is a must-read and must-listen for anyone committed to advancing literacy for multilingual learners and ensuring meaningful access to high-quality instruction for all students.

‍

________________________________________

‍

📣 News Alert: CA Literacy Bill Supports Multilingual Learners: SEAL proudly joined partners in support of Assembly Bill 1454, introduced by Speaker Robert Rivas, which aims to enhance literacy instruction statewide. AB 1454 marks a significant step toward advancing equitable literacy instruction for all students. This past spring, we hosted Assemblymember Muratsuchi in Azusa Unified classrooms to see SEAL’s evidence-based approach in action. These powerful site visits show firsthand how the integration of language development, content, foundational skills and meaning making are essential to strong literacy instruction. And this visit helped shape the vision behind AB 1454! That’s why we strongly support AB 1454 as a necessary step toward systems that reflect what multilingual learners need to thrive. We’re grateful for the strong partnerships that made this moment possible.

‍