My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis
Claim This Podcastby Phillips Fundamental Learning Center
Podcast Overview
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">In classrooms across America — and especially here in Kansas — too many children are being left behind in reading. And too often, their parents and teachers are left wondering: </span><span style="font-weight:400;">What did I miss? Why didn’t anyone tell me? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">Hosted by Jesica Glover — a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist, and parent who couldn’t help her own daughter learn to read — this podcast explores the literacy crisis in Kansas and across the country. Through real stories and expert insight, we uncover how reading is actually learned, where schools are falling short, and what families and educators can do to change it. Each episode combines real stories, expert insight, and a look at the science of how reading works — </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">From early warning signs and misdiagnoses to bold reforms and grassroots change, </span><span style="font-weight:400;">My Child Can’t Read</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> traces a powerful journey from heartbreak to hope.</span><span style="font-weight:400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or policymaker, this podcast helps you understand what went wrong — and what we can do to make it right, right here in the Heartland.</span></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
7/30/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 9, 2026
S4 Bonus /// After Sold a Story: Emily Hanford on What Comes Next for Literacy in Kansas
What happens after awareness? One month after concluding Season 4 of My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis, Jesica Glover sits down with investigative journalist Emily Hanford for a thoughtful conversation about what comes next in the national literacy conversation—and what that means for Kansas. Together, they explore: Why reading reform is so difficult inside large systems The ongoing gaps in teacher preparation Why quick fixes rarely create lasting change What states like Mississippi can teach the rest of the country The role of parents in shaping literacy reform Why humility, alignment, and sustained effort matter What still concerns Emily most about the literacy crisis This episode is not a recap of Sold a Story. It’s a conversation about what comes after the awareness stage—and what it will take to continue moving forward for kids. 🎙️ About Our Guest Emily Hanford is an investigative journalist with APM Reports and creator of the podcast Sold a Story, whose reporting helped spark a national conversation about reading instruction, literacy outcomes, and the Science of Reading movement. 🔗 Mentioned in This Episode Sold a Story by APM Reports Planet Word Museum interview with Dr. Carey Wright Interview featuring Reid Lyon & Margaret Goldberg Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act Science of Reading Structured Literacy Dyslexia advocacy movement includes many organizations like these: Decoding Dyslexia and International Dyslexia Foundation (IDA) Resources & References: Structured Literacy (International Dyslexia Association): https://dyslexiaida.org/structured-literacy/ Kansas Literacy Initiatives (KSDE): https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/English-Language-Arts/Literacy Kansas Policy Institute: https://kansaspolicy.org/ Phillips Fundamental Learning Center: https://www.funlearn.org/ If This Episode Resonated: Sit with it. Then share this episode with someone—a parent, a teacher, a leader. And if this conversation helped you see things differently, a quick rating or review helps more people find it—and helps this message reach the people who need it most. PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Marie - Help & Hope, Acreage - In My Head, Featherland - Growing Pains, Moments - Meridian Mood, Moments - Lost Love, Lost Ghosts - Celebrated Life, Matt Wigton - Year End. This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
May 12, 2026
S4 Bonus /// What it Looks Like When it Works
What if the question isn’t whether children can learn to read— but whether we’ve built systems that actually teach them? In this episode, we step inside a real example of what happens when research, instruction, leadership, and community support are aligned. Through the story of the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, we explore what it actually takes to move from awareness to implementation—and what becomes possible when we do. This isn’t theory. This is what it looks like when it works. And maybe more importantly—this episode asks us to sit with a harder truth: We don’t need more awareness alone. We need alignment. We need implementation. We need systems built around what we already know works. Because literacy is not a mystery. And when we choose to build for it— change doesn’t just become possible. It becomes visible. You’ll Hear: Cece Woolf — a former classroom teacher who reveals the moment she realized something wasn’t adding up—and how understanding how children learn to read changed everything. Dana Hensley — early PFLC board member, sharing how vision, leadership, and persistence helped transform an idea into a lasting organization. Bunny Hill — educator and literacy advocate, illustrating both the reality of student struggle and the transformation that happens when instruction finally meets the learner. Marietta Wetzel — parent perspective on the power of assessment, early intervention, and what happens when schools, families, and specialists work together. Karen [Last Name] — capital campaign leader, offering insight into how belief becomes infrastructure—and the moments that helped others understand the mission. James Franko — from the Kansas Policy Institute, offering perspective on the systemic barriers shaping literacy outcomes. Jill Hodge — educator, trainer, and school board member, sharing what she’s seeing across districts as awareness—and change—begins to grow. Sheree Utash — higher education and workforce leader, connecting literacy to opportunity, workforce readiness, and long-term community impact. In This Episode, We Explore: What happens when teachers are never taught how to teach reading The difference between student ability and instructional access Why assessment can change not just outcomes—but identity How alignment between schools, families, and specialists changes everything The real work behind building sustainable solutions—not just ideas Why literacy is not just an education issue—but a systems issue Resources & References: Structured Literacy (International Dyslexia Association): https://dyslexiaida.org/structured-literacy/ Kansas Literacy Initiatives (KSDE): https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/English-Language-Arts/Literacy Kansas Policy Institute: https://kansaspolicy.org/ Phillips Fundamental Learning Center: https://www.funlearn.org/ If This Episode Resonated: Sit with it. Then share this episode with someone—a parent, a teacher, a leader. And if this conversation helped you see things differently, a quick rating or review helps more people find it—and helps this message reach the people who need it most. PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Cody Martin - Innovation, LNDO - Even So, Cody Martin - Keeper of Keys, Cody Martin - Living Tapestry, Michael Briguglio - Fallen, Cody Martin - Lutra, Cody Martin - Infinitive, Caleb Etheridge - Road to Nowhere This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
April 28, 2026
S4E5 /// Who Holds the Education Power in Kansas?
If we know how children learn to read—why hasn’t it reached every classroom? In this episode, we examine who holds the power to shape education in Kansas—and what happens when policy, preparation, and practice aren’t aligned. From state-level decision-making to classroom reality, this conversation explores why change is complex… and what it actually takes to ensure every child receives instruction that works. This isn’t just about systems. It’s about outcomes—and what responsibility demands when proof already exists. In This Episode You'll Hear: How the Kansas State Board of Education shapes public education—and where real authority lives Why policy alone doesn’t guarantee classroom change, and what happens in the gap between decisions and practice The real constraints behind funding, timelines, and implementation at the state and local level How gaps in dyslexia recognition and support have impacted students—and why that matters beyond reading Why alignment—not blame—is the key to meaningful accountability What actually changes outcomes for students learning to read—and where we’ve seen it work Voices from across the system, including: Jeanine Phillips — Founder, Phillips Fundamental Learning Center James Franko — Kansas Policy Institute REFERENCES & RESOURCES Research & National Context Understanding how children learn to read—and where systems have fallen short: National Reading Panel (2000) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Reading Universe — Science of Reading Research Hub AACTE Teacher Preparation Initiative (2026 Proposal) Season 3, Episode 2 — Parent Advocacy 101: Fighting for Your Child’s Right to Read (For a deeper explanation of Kansas’ education governance structure) Kansas Policy & Governance How education is structured—and who holds responsibility in Kansas: Kansas Constitution, Article 6, Section 2 — State Board of Education (General Supervision)https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/constitution/chapter6.html#section2 Kansas Constitution, Article 6, Section 4 — Commissioner of Educationhttps://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/constitution/chapter6.html#section4 Kansas State Board of Education — Overviewhttps://www.ksde.org/About-Us/State-Board-of-Education Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) — Abouthttps://www.ksde.org/About-Us Kansas Literacy Policy & Implementation Where research meets policy—and where gaps can still occur: Kansas House Bill 2322 (2023 — Dyslexia Legislation) Kansas Blueprint for Literacy Funding & System Structure How resources are allocated—and why alignment matters: Kansas Special Education Funding Overview (KSDE) Kansas State Department of Education — School Finance & Data Centralhttps://datacentral.ksde.orghttps://www.ksde.org/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/School-Finance National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) — Education Spending Data These resources are here to help you better understand the systems shaping literacy in Kansas—and the role each of us can play in moving forward. 🤝 FOLLOW & SHARE If this episode helped you understand the system behind the reading crisis— share it with a parent, educator, or leader in your community. Because when more people understand how the system works… change becomes possible. SUPPORT THE WORK Your support of the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center helps fund: Student assessments Evidence-based teaching resources Teacher training grounded in the Science of Reading Scholarships for profoundly dyslexic students to attend our school PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Cody Martin - Innovation, LNDO - Even So, Cody Martin - Keeper of Keys, Cody Martin - Living Tapestry, Michael Briguglio - Fallen, Cody Martin - Lutra, Cody Martin - Infinitive, Caleb Etheridge - Road to Nowhere This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
27 total episodes available
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- What is My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis?
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">In classrooms across America — and especially here in Kansas — too many children are being left behind in reading. And too often, their parents and teachers are left wondering: </span><span style="font-weight:400;">What did I miss? Why didn’t anyone tell me? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">Hosted by Jesica Glover — a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist, and parent who couldn’t help her own daughter learn to read — this podcast explores the literacy crisis in Kansas and across the country. Through real stories and expert insight, we uncover how reading is actually learned, where schools are falling short, and what families and educators can do to change it. Each episode combines real stories, expert insight, and a look at the science of how reading works — </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">From early warning signs and misdiagnoses to bold reforms and grassroots change, </span><span style="font-weight:400;">My Child Can’t Read</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> traces a powerful journey from heartbreak to hope.</span><span style="font-weight:400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight:400;">Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or policymaker, this podcast helps you understand what went wrong — and what we can do to make it right, right here in the Heartland.</span></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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