Saved by grace. Life long learner. Mom of 2. Wife of Kevin. Beach lover. Dyslexia advocate. Tweets are my own.
Spanish Fort
Joined August 2011
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Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
Passive promotion doesn't work. Neither does blanket retention. ExcelinEd's Sonya Yates joins state leaders at GLR Week next Tuesday to talk "smart promotion" for struggling readers. leo.gradelevelreading.net/ev…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
More than two dozen states now require third-grade retention for struggling readers. Others are rolling those policies back. On Tuesday, ExcelinEd's Sonya Yates joins state leaders during Campaign for Grade-Level Reading's GLR Week to break down what's actually working. #GLRWeek2026
📅 July 28, 12:30pm ET ➡️ Learn more & register: leo.gradelevelreading.net/ev…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
We spoke with @kymyona_burk of @ExcelinEd about how Mississippi turned things around by identifying struggling readers early, giving them targeted support, and making sure every child could read by third grade, and why that same early focus could help Michigan students succeed too.
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
America's students spend 60B+ hours in classrooms each year. Are schools being held accountable for results? ExcelinEd's new video series breaks down how school accountability systems work—and how to make them stronger. excelined.org/2026/04/02/sch…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
MS is Advancing Adolescent Literacy (4-8) and is strengthening math instruction with the new Mississippi Math Act. #continuingtheMarathon
Mississippi is putting students first by strengthening literacy, improving math supports, and expanding access to CTE—a strong step toward better outcomes and real-world readiness for every student. Read our statement here: excelinedinaction.org/2026/0… #msleg
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
ExcelinEd in the field ➡️ Senior Policy Fellow Dr. Kymyona Burk gave a keynote address at the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition Summit and Day of Action! Kymyona shared insights on the "Mississippi Marathon" and what it takes to successfully implement literacy policies that lead to long-term student success.
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
📣 ICYMI ➡️ ExcelinEd Senior Policy Director Casey Taylor was featured in a recent article exploring how states are investing in literacy coaches to improve student reading outcomes. Read it now! csgmidwest.org/2026/03/09/ml…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
ExcelinEd Senior Policy Fellow Dr. @kymyona_burk joined The Harvard EdCast podcast to explore how policy, teacher investment and clear implementation helped #Mississippi improve scores and strengthen student literacy skills!
Listen to the full episode on the Mississippi Marathon here: the-harvard-edcast.simplecas… @hgse #literacymatters
An amazing day!!
#LRC26
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
In her opening remarks, new board member @kymyona_burk shares how #NAEP results have lifted up the hard work of students, educators, and parents and families. "I look forward to improving the proficiency of students in elementary and secondary education."
Congratulations, @kymyona_burk!
Today we are joined by Under Secretary of @usedgov, Nicholas Kent, to swear our new and reappointed board members:
ALT Gov. Phil byrant
ALT Scott Marion
ALT Michael Sidebotham
ALT Kymyona Burk
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
A great discussion with @rpondiscio, @BernerEd, @MsKurto and @CandalCara on the importance of content-rich instruction, what sets strong curricula apart and how states are improving literacy outcomes. #LiteracyMatters #EIE25
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
Thank you @ExcelinEd for such an amazing panel about adolescent literacy. It is time to be relentless in addressing this. It is time to support our content teachers so they can be reading teachers and help students read more complex, domain specific texts. #EIE25 @kymyona_burk – at New Orleans, LA
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
Some state and university Depts of Ed are being true to their communities and mission. Producing teachers who can teach children to read.
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
#Oklahoma lawmakers are taking action on literacy—and looking to proven solutions. States like #Mississippi have shown what's possible with strong early reading policies. Featuring insights from @ExcelinEd's Casey Taylor on how targeted support transforms outcomes: gcnewsstar.com/opinion/readi…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
Most #literacy policies focus on third grade—but what about students who still struggle to read in middle and high school? 🎧 Dr. @kymyona_burk and Casey Taylor tackle adolescent literacy as the new frontier in K-12 literacy. Listen now: shows.acast.com/policy-chang…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
What happens after a state adopts the #ScienceOfReading? Check out @EdMarketBrief's article, featuring Dr. @kymyona_burk as she discusses the challenges of adopting a new curriculum and what steps states can take to promote successful implementation of these new policies. marketbrief.edweek.org/regul…
Sonya Yates, CALT retweeted
ExcelinEd in the field ➡️ Casey Taylor joined the #OK House Common Ed Committee to discuss strategies for improving 3rd grade reading. She highlighted #Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act and its impact on student outcomes. #LiteracyMatters
