When Kids Read, PA Succeeds
The 2026 PA Literacy Summit & Day of Action brings together educators, school and district leaders, advocates, policymakers, and community partners from across the Commonwealth united around one shared goal: ensuring literacy is a statewide priority so every child has access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
Throughout the day, participants will:
Explore what it takes to translate policy into practice, at scale and with fidelity
Hear from national and Pennsylvania literacy leaders who are driving meaningful gains in classrooms and communities
Take collective action at the Capitol, advocating for the funding and supports needed to fully implement Pennsylvania’s literacy policies
When we align research, practice, and policy—and pair strong laws with real investment—we create the conditions for students, educators, and communities across Pennsylvania to thrive.
Our Keynote
From Reform to Results: Turning Literacy Legislation Into Lasting Change
Dr. Kymyona Burk, Senior Policy Fellow for Early Literacy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) and former State Literacy Director for Mississippi, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 PA Literacy Summit & Day of Action.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, coach, researcher, and state-level leader, Burk played a central role in advancing Mississippi’s widely recognized literacy reforms, working alongside state leaders to align policy, instruction, assessment, and professional learning in service of early readers.
In her keynote, Burk will speak to Pennsylvania’s current moment as a critical inflection point in its literacy journey. She will explore what it takes to move beyond passing strong laws toward coherent, well-funded implementation, and how states can align systems to support long-term literacy growth and sustainability. Blending policy insight with practical lessons from the field, this session will challenge participants to think strategically about how research, practice, and investment must work together to ensure every child learns to read.
Why Attend the Summit & Day of Action
By attending this high-energy convening, you will:
Learn from literacy implementation experts and practitioners with deep knowledge of the science of reading and structured literacy
Gain practical tools to lead literacy change in classrooms, schools, and districts and accelerate student reading growth
Build advocacy skills and participate in legislative meetings in a supportive, guided environment
Connect with a statewide community of literacy leaders and champions committed to effective reading instruction
You’ll leave better equipped to lead, advocate, and influence meaningful literacy change across Pennsylvania!
Presenters & Panels
Learning From Pennsylvania Districts: Literacy Implementation in Practice
Moderator: To be announced
Panelists: To be announced
This panel discussion will feature leaders from Pennsylvania school districts participating in the PA Literacy Coalition’s Proof Points Districts Project. Panelists will share firsthand insights into implementation successes, challenges, and lessons learned from real classrooms and school systems.
The conversation will surface practical takeaways for educators and leaders working to implement evidence-based literacy instruction at scale, while also offering an honest look at the conditions and supports needed for sustained success.
Designed for educators, school and district leaders, and policymakers alike, this session grounds statewide literacy conversations in lived experience and underscores what implementation really looks like across diverse Pennsylvania contexts.
Guest Speakers
Additional guest speakers will be announced in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates via this webpage and the
PA Literacy Coalition newsletter.
Action Labs & Advocacy
This interactive section of the day prepares participants for the afternoon’s Day of Action. Through a series of guided Action Labs, attendees will build advocacy skills, learn what to expect in legislative meetings, and collaborate on messages that elevate literacy as a statewide priority.
Participants who are already comfortable with legislative advocacy or have prior experience meeting with policymakers may use this time to begin legislative meetings early, helping expand our reach and impact.
What Past Attendees Are Saying
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To register, visit paliteracysummit2026.
PLEASE ANSWER ALL REQUIRED QUESTIONS WHEN REGISTERING.
Be sure to fill out Although Eventbrite may indicate that your order is complete at checkout, your registration is not finalized until you have answered all required questions and shared your information.
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This event is completely free to participants.
If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend, we kindly ask that you notify the organizers as soon as possible so we can finalize lunch counts and transportation needs.
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We plan to provide bus transportation from multiple regions across Pennsylvania, depending on interest and need. Routes and pickup locations will be confirmed by mid-February to ensure participants have ample time to plan. More details will be shared after registration.
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The day will begin in Hearing Room #1 of the Keystone Building at 400 North St. Harrisburg, PA 17120. At 1:15 PM, participants will walk together to the State Capitol’s Main Rotunda for the press conference and rally.
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A hot breakfast will not be provided; however, coffee and breakfast bars will be available.
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We will have a limited number of posters available. Attendees are also encouraged to create and bring their own posters answering the question: Why does literacy matter to you?
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No, we are not accepting proposals for this event.
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Yes, sponsorship opportunities are available. Please note that we are unable to accept sponsorships from curriculum or training providers/vendors. For more information, contact Rachael Garnick at rgarnick@teachplus.org.