Literacy stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, are deeply impacted by the choices school districts make regarding curriculum and professional learning. One of the goals of the New York Campaign for Early Literacy is to emphasize the essential role parents and caregivers play in early literacy and to demonstrate how schools can empower families to support their children’s reading development.
On February 25, the New York Campaign for Early Literacy hosted an advocacy day to advocate for new state investments in literacy in the 2026 budget. The webinar featured voices from parents, district leaders, and advocates about the importance of implementing the science of reading in the classroom and the need for new investments in professional learning, curriculum, and teacher preparation.
Specifically, the event spotlighted parents from two districts at opposite ends of New York State — each with a unique approach to early literacy and family engagement. The stories of Jacqueline Castillo-Blaber, a parent advocate with children attending the Niagara Falls City School District, and Ebony Matthew, a parent advocate and teacher with children enrolled in District 8 of NYC Public Schools, illustrate how district decisions can either empower or hinder parents’ ability to partner with schools in fostering their child’s reading success.