Long Island Literacy Coalition^™ to Host Free Screening of “Let Us Read” and Panel Discussion on the Reading Crisis

Event presented in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEBORAH AIELLO

SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

The Long Island Literacy Coalition^™ (LILC) will hose a free public screening of the documentary Let Us Read, followed by a panel discussion with literacy experts, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Shelter Rock Public Library, 165 Searingtown Road South, Albertson, NY 11507. The event is presented in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, observed each October.

“One in five children struggles to learn to read, and most of them are being taught the wrong way. Let Us Read exposes why, and what’s actually working,” said Kat Fratticci, co-founder of the Long Island Literacy Coalition^™ and a CERI Certified Dyslexia Interventionist.

Let Us Read explores the national reading crisis and the movement toward evidence-based, structured literacy instruction. In New York, only 31% of eighth graders read at a proficient level according to 2024 NAEP data, and the state is one of just nine that does not require universal K-3 reading screening. Following the film, attendees will hear from a panel of literacy experts who will discuss what’s driving the crisis and what’s actually working to solve it.

About the Panelists

Dr. Sarah Holbrook is Director of Humanities for the Kingston City School District and founder of Sunday Literacy, an educational consulting organization. She is a Fellow with the SUNY New Paltz Science of Reading Center.

Judy Boksner is a New York City-based reading specialist and literacy coach with more than 25 years of classroom experience. She hosts The Literacy View podcast and YouTube channel.

Teresa Ranieri is a School-Based Literacy Coach in her 31st year with New York City Public Schools and a LETRS Facilitator. She is a 2026 Top 50 Educator Trailblazer.

Alyssa Colon-Garcia is Executive Director of ELA, Literacy, and Early Childhood for Yonkers Public Schools, and leads her district partnership with SUNY New Paltz Science of Reading Center.

“This event is an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to see firsthand why the Science of Reading matters and to hear directly from experts about what effective change looks like,” said Deborah Aiello, co-founder of the Long Island Literacy Coalition^™. “We hope this screening sparks conversation and momentum in our community.”

Admission is free, and registration is available on Eventbrite.

Event Details:

What: Let Us Read Film Screening & Panel Discussion
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Shelter Rock Public Library, 165 Searingtown Road South, Albertson, NY 11507
Cost: Free
Registration: liliteracycoalitionfilmscreening.eventbrite.com