Call To Action: IDA Texas Accreditation Symposium, June 26, 2025
Advancing Teacher Preparation Through IDA Accreditation
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 9:00-4:00
Location: University of Houston, Hilton University of Houston
Registration Options:
- Regular Registration ($60, through June 25)
- At the Door Registration ($75)
- Virtual Attendance ($25)
Scroll to the bottom to register!
We invite you to join us on Thursday, June 26th, at the University of Houston for a day of learning, strategizing, and collaboration. Together, we will explore practical steps and solutions for transforming literacy outcomes across Texas. Your participation is crucial as we work together to shape the future of education in our state.
Topics to be Covered:
- Explore various factors impacting reading difficulties and how teacher preparation can provide teachers with evidence-based practices to address them.
- The role of universities and colleges in offering accredited structured literacy courses aligned with the science of reading to ensure teachers are well-prepared.
- Simple, actionable steps universities and colleges can take today to align their classes and textbooks with the science of reading practices.
- An overview of the IDA accreditation process in straightforward, practical terms.
- Highlights of additional benefits, including how one university saw enrollment increase six-fold in just nine years after offering accreditation.
Conference amenities include a light breakfast, lunch, free event t-shirt, networking opportunities.
Hotel Information:
We have secured a room block at the Hilton University of Houston, which is conveniently located on campus.
Room block deadline: May 26, 2025
Hotel Address:
Hilton University of Houston
4450 University Dr,
Houston, TX 77204
👉 Click here to book your room
The IDA Texas Accreditation Symposium offers 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). TSHA is Approved.
Speaker Info:
Tracy Weeden, Ed.D.
• Position: Ambassador and Past President, Neuhaus Education Center
• Topic: More Than a Statistic: Adult Learners’ Stories of Struggle, Strength, and Literacy
• Credentials: Experienced educational leader dedicated to advancing literacy through scalable, innovative programs.
• Profile: City of Houston Bio
Devin Kearns, Ph.D.
• Position: Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy, North Carolina State University
• Topic: Morphemes Everywhere: Reading Polysyllabic Words, Comprehending Complex Texts, Increasing Achievement
• Credentials: Researches reading disabilities, including dyslexia, focusing on instructional programs that connect educational practice with cognitive science and neuroscience.
• Profile: NC State Profile
Nathan Clemens, Ph.D.
• Position: Professor of Special Education and Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Fellow, University of Texas at Austin
• Topic: Improving Reading Comprehension for Students with Dyslexia
• Credentials: Focuses on reading development in children, particularly assessment and intervention for reading difficulties such as dyslexia.
• Profile: UT Austin Profile
Amy Thompson, Ph.D.
• Position: Associate Professor, Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education, University of Central Arkansas
• Topic: From Accreditation to Action: Transforming Teacher Preparation Programs Through Science of Reading Implementation
• Credentials: Literacy assessment and intervention, multisensory instruction, dyslexia, and educator preparation.
• Profile: UCA Profile
Mary Wennersten, M.Ed.
• Position: Vice Chair, IDA Board of Directors; Past-President, IDA Arizona
• Topic: The Why, What, and How of the IDA Accreditation Process
• Credentials: Certified dyslexia specialist focused on improving literacy and support for individuals with dyslexia.
• Profile: LinkedIn Profile
Lara Speights, M.Ed., LDT, CALT
• Position: Vice President of Family Support and Adult Literacy, Neuhaus Education Center
• Topic: Literacy Connected to Post-Secondary Success
• Profile: LinkedIn Profile
Dr. Hope Rigby-Wills, Ed.D.
• Position: Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Houston
• Credentials: Specializes in special populations with a focus on adolescent literacy and data-based individualization of instruction.
• Topic: From Accreditation to Action: Transforming Teacher Preparation Programs Through Science of Reading Implementation
• Profile: University of Houston Faculty Page