Policy Breakfast Series:
Reading as a Gateway: Success in Work and Postsecondary Readiness

Keynote speaker

Cathy Roller received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development in 1979 and was named one of the College’s 100 Distinguished Alumni in 2006. Dr Roller is the director of research and policy at the International Reading Association. In this role, she develops policy statements with the board of directors, develops relationships with professional partners, and oversees the traditional role of the research division. She spearheaded a commission that explored elementary teacher preparation for reading instruction and recently presented the highlights Prepared to Make a Difference from the Report of the National Commission on Excellence in Elementary Teacher Preparation for Reading Instruction.

Previously, while a professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Iowa, Dr. Roller presented in-service workshops and papers for practicing teachers in a number of venues. She worked with the Lincoln Elementary–University of Iowa Partners in Education Program. While there, she made monthly visits to Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa, where she participated in classroom instruction and interacted with children and teachers. She also directed the Summer Residential Reading Clinic while at Iowa.

Dr. Roller is the author or co-author of four books, two of which were published by the International Reading Association: So…What’s a Tutor to Do? and Variability Not Disability: Struggling Readers in a Workshop Classroom. She is the editor of Learning to Teach Reading: Setting the Research Agenda. She has written numerous journal articles and received many research grants. In addition, Dr. Roller has made numerous presentations at regional, national, and international professional meetings and regularly reviews and edits professional journals.

About the Policy Breakfast Series

The CEHD Policy Breakfast Series focuses on the interrelationship of research and policy and the assumption that the data and new knowledge derived from research is integral to policy formulation, policy change, and the overall improvement of public policies in education and human service. This series brings together legislators, community and education leaders, and faculty and staff experts who are in a policymaking role. If you would like more information on these events or would like to attend the next CEHD Policy Breakfast, please contact Laura Hagen at the Office for Research and Policy at 612-625-0317 or by e-mail at  gardz001@umn.edu.

Previous Policy Breakfasts

Reading as a Gateway to Success in Work and Post-secondary Settings

January 26, 2009

The Graduation Gap in Minnesota: Providing Opportunities for All Children

October 8, 2008

Synopsis of event | Adelman's presentation [.ppt] | Audio: Introduction and talk [.mp3, 1hour, 9 minutes], Q&A [.mp3, 1hour, 9 minutes] |

Ready by 21: Changing the Odds for Youth Using a Comprehensive Policy Approach

January 18, 2008

Synopsis of event | Program | Pittman's presentation [.pdf] | Audio highlights | Attending organizations