A Toolkit for Parents Navigating Early Grade Literacy in Kansas City Schools

Let’s face it, most parents are not literacy experts. 

But not being an expert does little to take away the immense pressure parents feel as their child prepares for kindergarten and beyond. They know that reading is essential in day-to-day life and a basic survival skill their children need in the 21st century. It is not surprising that over the past five years, searches related to early literacy have grown between 50-120%, according to Google Trends. This pressure is only heightened when a child has a diagnosis of dyslexia or another language-based learning disability.

But there is good news: what works for students with dyslexia works for all students.

That is why Horizon Academy’s Director of Therapeutic Language and Literacy, Gabi Guillory Welsh collaborated with the Senior Advisor for Early Childhood Initiatives at Parent Leadership Training, Annie Watson, to write and publish Leading with Literacy: A Toolkit for Parents Navigating Early Grade Literacy in Kansas City Schools.

The goal of this guide is not, as Dr. Julie Holland explains, to be a “how-to manual for teaching your child to read”. Parents do not need to be experts in literacy. The goal is to help parents navigate the complex early literacy landscape of the 21st century with courage and resilience.  As Dr. Holland says: 

“[Parents,] you are doing everything within your power and capacity. You are doing enough. While you are your child’s first teacher, you are not their only one—especially when it comes to reading… Your role as a parent is not to become a reading teacher; it’s to hold your child’s school accountable for using proven, evidence-based literacy practices that benefit your child and every child.”

Vicki Asher, Horizon Academy’s Head of School, is also featured in the resource, explaining her perspective on our shared commitment: 

“Since 1999, I have had the privilege of teaching literacy skills grounded in the science of reading to students with language-based learning differences at Horizon Academy, the only school of its kind in the Kansas City area dedicated to empowering students with specific learning disabilities to become competent, confident readers and learners. Since 2015, I have also had the honor of serving as Head of School at Horizon Academy.

Over the past decade, we have refined our literacy instruction using the Orton-Gillingham Approach and have come to a powerful realization—one that special educators have known for a while: what works for students with dyslexia works for all students. Evidence-based, structured, and multisensory methods benefit every learner. This principle lies at the core of Structured Literacy, the broader educational framework that guides our work. Through this journey, I have come to deeply appreciate Dr. Louisa Moats’ insight: teaching reading is rocket science. Unlike rocket scientists, who spend years mastering complex calculations to launch a human into space, many preservice teachers receive limited or outdated preparation for teaching reading and spelling. The consequences are heartbreaking. I have witnessed the emotional toll on students and families when capable, intelligent children are failed by poor literacy instruction—children who begin to feel inadequate, unintelligent, or even worthless. No child should ever feel that way, especially when decades of research on effective reading instruction are within our reach. 

My hope is that Kansas City parents will feel empowered by the information in this toolkit, compiled by our Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, Gabi Guillory Welsh. With the right questions to ask, the key signals to recognize and avoid, and trusted resources for guidance, parents can be powerful advocates for their children. Together, we can move Kansas City toward a future where every student has access to high-quality, scientifically-based literacy instruction.” 

Leading with Literacy: A Toolkit for Parents Navigating Early Grade Literacy in Kansas City Schools is a first step, offering guidance and language to equip you to have literacy conversations with confidence. It is a reassurance that countless parents all across Kansas City are on the same journey as you and that you are all building momentum together. 

How should parents use this toolkit? Read cover to cover, or use the sections that match your concerns.

1. Start with the Green and Red flags – quickly spot practices that support strong reading development and those that may hold your child back.
2. Use the Parent Questions – bring these questions to teacher meetings, conferences, school tours, and use them to get clear, evidence-based answers.
3. Refer to the Big Five - gain insight into the five pillars of high-quality literacy instruction.
4. Act when you see red flags – constructive next steps enabling you to take action.
5. Find additional resources to deepen your understanding and guide your next steps.

To understand all of the insights Leading with Literacy offers, view the full toolkit here.