Deans for Impact Launches Maryland Collaborative to Help More Students Become Strong Readers

Four Maryland educator-preparation programs will work with DFI to strengthen future teachers’ preparation in evidence-based reading instruction

MARYLAND (July 23, 2026) – Deans for Impact (DFI) is pleased to announce the Maryland Literacy Ed Prep Collaborative, a new network designed to strengthen how aspiring teachers are prepared to teach reading using evidence-based practices grounded in the science of reading and the science of learning.

The multi-year Collaborative brings together four Maryland educator-preparation programs (EPPs): Hood College, McDaniel College, Salisbury University, and Towson University. Together, these institutions represent a range of teacher pathways.

The launch of this network comes at an important moment for the state. As Maryland moves toward a more comprehensive PK-12 literacy policy agenda, EPPs are proactively working to ensure future teachers are ready to provide reading instruction that is evidence-based, responsive to different learners, and connected to the materials and instructional practices candidates will encounter in schools. 

“We’re encouraged by the initiative Maryland teacher-preparation programs are demonstrating to strengthen how future teachers learn to teach reading,” said Valerie Sakimura, CEO of DFI. “Through this Collaborative, we are excited to partner with faculty to better prepare aspiring teachers to meet students’ varied learning needs and support young children to become confident, successful readers.”

Through the multi-year Collaborative, DFI, with support from MILE, will work with faculty to strengthen their preparation of future teachers to learn and practice evidence-based reading instruction. 

“Reading is foundational to every student's academic success and lifelong opportunities,” said Laurie Mullen, dean of the College of Education at Towson University. “As educator preparation programs, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure our graduates enter classrooms with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to help every child become a proficient reader. DFI serves as a trusted partner that helps us translate the latest research into actionable strategies for educator preparation, while fostering a collaborative community dedicated to improving outcomes for future teachers and the Maryland students they will serve.”

“Our program’s approach to early reading instruction is grounded in research and evidence-based practice,” said Kristine Calo, professor and former education department chair at Hood College. “Being part of this collaborative lets us examine and refine that work alongside other strong teacher preparation programs, and learn from those facing the same work in different ways—then bring it back to make our program even better.”

To learn more about DFI’s instructional support, visit deansforimpact.org/programming/for-teachers-and-teacher-educators.

About Deans for Impact (DFI)

DFI is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure every child is taught by well-prepared teachers. We support educator-preparation programs to bring the science of learning into teaching practice; partner with policymakers to ensure pathways into teaching are accessible, practice-based, instructionally-focused, and innovative and responsive; and equip leaders with the tools to address today’s most pressing challenges in educator preparation. Guided by principles of cognitive science, we aim to help aspiring and early-career teachers create rigorous and affirming classrooms where all children thrive. To learn more, visit deansforimpact.org.

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Media Contact:
Cece Zhou
248-854-0630
czhou@deansforimpact.org