The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership (CIL) in the College of Education and Human Sciences is proud to announce the establishment of The Center for Literacy and Learning at Louisiana Tech (L3).
The Center for Literacy and Learning will serve as a location for evidence-based literacy support, providing diagnostic assessments, tutoring, and workshop opportunities for educators across North Louisiana. By integrating academic research with hands-on clinical practice, the Center aims to address literacy challenges while preparing future educators with real-world experience.
“As literacy rates and reading achievement continue to present challenges across Louisiana and the nation, the Center for Literacy and Learning is rooted in supporting evidence-based instruction, applied research, and community partnerships,” Dr. Dustin Whitlock, interim department head of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, said.
The idea for the center began over ten years ago as faculty saw a need for expanding literacy services to the local school district and the surrounding community. However, as the years followed, space and funding continued to delay progress.
In spite of the setbacks, Dr. Carrice Cummins, research professor in the CIL department, worked with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and literacy experts across the country to develop a professional learning course for Louisiana K-3 educators. The course, titled The Science and Art of Teaching Reading, provides current content knowledge and structured literacy teaching practices that align with Science of Reading research.
Through funding of The Science and Art of Teaching Reading and the LDOE, the Center for Literacy and Learning is becoming a reality within the department.
Megan Hunt, A.E. Phillips Laboratory School teacher, was chosen to lead the Center due to her strong background as an educator and her deep commitment to foundational literacy instruction. Throughout her years of teaching, she has continually sought opportunities to grow her knowledge and expertise in evidence-based literacy practices and early reading development, while also working towards becoming a certified UFLI coach.
“Mrs. Hunt’s skill and expertise allow her to support both students and educators through high-quality literacy instruction and professional learning,” Whitlock said. “Her passion for literacy, dedication to children and teachers, and genuine investment in serving the community made her a natural choice to lead L3 as it continues to grow its impact across the region.”
Hunt is excited to advance literacy education and notes the foundation that it can bring to Louisiana Tech and the community.
"Literacy affects all aspects of life and is ultimately how people access opportunity and how communities grow stronger,” Hunt said. “When children become proficient readers, it represents more than just academic progress; it changes the trajectory of their lives. L3 is exciting because it brings together Louisiana Tech, school districts, families, and community partners around that shared goal. We've already seen encouraging growth through this work, and the Center for Literacy and Learning gives us a way to build on that progress in a meaningful and lasting way."
Michelle Thrower, K-2 facilitator for Lincoln Parish Schools, has witnessed a growth in literacy education throughout a partnership with the CIL Department and is excited for the next phase.
“Our collaboration with Louisiana Tech has been a cornerstone of our success in elevating literacy proficiency across Lincoln Parish Schools,” Thrower said. “Their exceptional support with professional development and resources has directly fueled the tremendous DIBELS growth we are seeing via the UFLI Foundations curriculum in K-2. We are incredibly excited to continue this partnership through the new literacy and learning center, allowing us to expand our vital literacy work to support our Pre-K and third-grade students.”
Operations for L3 will be divided into 3 components: The Literacy Clinic, the Literacy Institute, and the Literacy Resource Center. Through individualized assessments, targeted intervention services, literacy workshops, and educator professional development opportunities, the Center will provide comprehensive support designed to meet the diverse literacy needs of children, families, schools, and educators throughout the region.
“The center will advance literacy instruction through integrated clinical services in reading, writing, and language development for children in grades K-5 while also supporting preservice teacher preparation and professional learning for in-service teachers,” Cummins added. “These components will be developed in phases over the next few years but once all are in place will work simultaneously to provide transformative literacy support across North Louisiana while also serving as a living laboratory for teacher preparation and literacy research.”
Although L3 has already begun hosting workshops and literacy services, the established center marks a significant step forward in expanding its research and impact. L3 is set to better serve students, educators, and communities in need of literacy education.
For more information on The Center for Literacy and Learning at Louisiana Tech, contact Dr. Dustin Whitlock at whitlock@latech.edu.