Listen Again: Kareem Weaver

The Dyslexia Duo:  Kareem Weaver on Dyslexia, Literacy Policy, and Why Every Child Needs a Champion   Aimee and Melissa interview educator and nonprofit leader Kareem Weaver, founder of Fulcrum (Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate) Literacy. Kareem Weaver shares how dyslexia affected his friend Ennis Cosby and his own daughter, and argues for early screening (K–2), evidence-based structured literacy, strong tier-one instruction, and better teacher preparation programs, citing wide variation in Texas higher-ed ratings and state policy implementation. The discussion covers the harms of wait-to-fail models, discrepancies, and passing students along, accommodations, and parents’ advocacy roles, including a 2024 precedent (William A. v. Clarksville-Montgomery County) requiring meaningful progress, not just grades. Weaver connects low literacy to incarceration, describes the federal First Step Act dyslexia screening, critiques autonomy over outcomes, discusses differences for girls and inequities, and emphasizes giving children time, protecting activities, and ensuring every child has a champion.   01:08 Introducing Kareem Weaver 01:58 Kareem’s Education Journey 02:50 Fulcrum and Literacy Mission 03:49 Texas Connections and IDA 05:11 What Led Him to Dyslexia 06:01 Ennis Cosby and Landmark Shift 07:56 His Daughter’s Dyslexia Wake Up 09:19 Why Kids Tap Out 10:36 Texas Law and Early Screening 13:08 Teacher Prep and Reading Science 19:38 Boosters Football and Literacy Buy In 27:40 Tier One Instruction Is a Right 30:49 Autonomy vs Consistent Materials 33:06 Parents in ARD and 504 Meetings 35:38 Advocating Without Approval 37:58 IEP Rights and Legal Precedent 40:57 Low Income Advocacy Strategies 44:19 What to Demand From Schools 45:38 Home Habits That Build Reading 48:27 Dyslexia as Strength and Risk 53:32 Prison Screening and First Step Act 57:37 Fixing the System Early 59:37 Third Grade Gate Debate 01:04:20 Gift of Time and Holding Back 01:09:11 Let Kids Be Kids Too 01:12:10 A Student Success Story 01:16:30 Gendered Wait to Fail 01:18:44 Race Class Expectations 01:20:19 Learner Bias in Reading 01:24:17 Post COVID Attendance Shift 01:29:44 Can Public Schools Recover 01:32:48 Parents Rights and Boundaries 01:37:04 Resources to Learn More 01:40:22 Write the Advocacy Book 01:46:04 Every Child a Champion 01:49:59 Closing Thanks and Credits