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October 31, 2024

Student literacy progress through Science of Reading fuels momentum in Strauss Literacy Initiative

The term “dyslexia” was first used more than 130 years ago, by German ophthalmologist Rudolf Berlin. He first noticed something amiss when he began working with adult patients who…

December 6, 2023

Strauss Literacy Initiative's advisory council: a guiding light to literacy

If the Strauss Literacy Initiative’s goal is to ensure that every child has the best possible chance of reading at grade level, then there is one ingredient that has proved pivotal: expe…

October 31, 2023

Empowering Students, One Phoneme at a Time

In 2018, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County was provided a worthwhile opportunity with the establishment of the Strauss Literacy Initiative: to work with educators to provide a pathwa…

May 11, 2023

Improving Literacy Letter by Letter

The teacher has a card with two letters on it: “Aw.” She faces it towards a group of five students seated at a blue semicircular table. “What other letter makes the ‘…

April 3, 2023

The ABCs of Legacy

Some small, ordinary moments in life pack so much magic that they remain with us for a long time. I had such a moment this last week when visiting a local elementary school to experience the p…

December 13, 2021

Reimagining Opportunities for Struggling Readers of All Ages Through the Strauss Literacy Initiative

Editor’s Note: In-depth research and exploratory pilot programs are guiding the Strauss Literacy Initiative, a collaborative effort managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County…

October 14, 2021

From Identification to Success: Supporting Students with Learning Differences at St. Mary Academy

Editor’s Note: In-depth research and exploratory pilot programs are helping develop the Strauss Literacy Initiative, a collaborative effort managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasot…

August 8, 2021

A Legacy of Literary and Learning Support Lives On

Growing up, Patricia “Patti” Strauss found reading and writing uniquely challenging, yet for most of her life could never pinpoint why. After years of searching for answers with lo…