Drexel Formally Launches ALLIED Literacy Hub Backed by $3.3M Federal Grant, Ribbon-Cutting Today
Drexel University formally launched its new ALLIED literacy hub this week — the Advocacy, Leadership, Learning, Implementation, Educational Policy and Data Hub. Launch events span three days: a reception on the evening of October 15 at Loch Aerie Mansion, keynoted by actor, author and dyslexia advocate Ameer Baraka; a ribbon-cutting on October 16 at 2 p.m. for the hub's space on the third floor of 3401 Market Street on Drexel's University City campus in Philadelphia; and a Science of Reading Day summit on October 17.
The hub is supported by a $3.3 million Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant that the U.S. Department of Education awarded earlier this month to Drexel's School of Education, within the College of Arts and Sciences. Its work focuses on moving literacy research into classroom practice more quickly and connecting educator training, policy and community resources. The university says the hub will also support a new EdD concentration in literacy.
Lori Severino serves as the hub's inaugural director and has outlined its roadmap in a university Q&A, including training and resources for teachers and free materials for parents and advocates. Federal data from the National Center for Education Statistics cited by the university put the share of U.S. fourth graders reading at a proficient level at about 31 percent, and eighth graders at about 30 percent.
Drexel said the hub will work with national literacy experts, school districts and community partners on follow-up projects.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 德雷塞尔大学主楼（费城大学城32街与栗子街口）。Photo: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
