Detroit Speaks: Reclaiming the Right to Literacy

In 2018, Detroit students sued the state of Michigan for depriving children of their right to literacy, citing underfunded and underperforming schools. Just a year later, Detroit students’ ELA scores showed the greatest single-year improvement on state tests (M-STEP) in the history of the exam! What changed? Hear from a Detroit student, teacher, and leader about the powerful new literacy curriculum, professional learning, and vision that are transforming Detroit schools into engines for equity.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Pamela Hornbuckle

Pamela Hornbuckle

Detroit Public Schools Community District

photo of Tawana Jordan

Tawana Jordan

Detroit Public Schools Community District

photo of Jauhnell Miller

Jauhnell Miller

Burns Elementary Middle School