CL²EAR to enhance literacy, English language learning, and teacher professional development

The Purdue University College of Education launched the new Center for Literacy and Language Education and Research (CL²EAR) on August 1, 2022. CL²EAR will focus on faculty-led research, use literacy and language research at its core, and generate funding from multiple sources including research grants and contracts with departments of education.

“I’m very excited about the re-launch and re-branding of CL²EAR,” said Janet Alsup, department head of Curriculum and Instruction and professor of literacy and language education in the Purdue University College of Education. “This Center is supported by a diverse cohort of faculty and staff committed to innovative literacy and language education research and engagement for P-12 students and teachers.”

According to Alsup, CL²EAR faculty will conduct and disseminate innovative research about literacy and English language/bilingual studies, as well as research-based professional development across the state of Indiana and beyond. CL²EAR will also strive to positively affect literacy education policy in the state of Indiana.

CL²EAR has both research and teaching missions. The ground-breaking research of affiliated faculty will explore pathways to enhance literacy and English language learning in Indiana and beyond. The Center will also provide research-based professional development for teachers and literacy interventions for K-6 students through popup instructional experiences and a lending library.

Christy Wessel-Powell, assistant professor of language, literacy, and education, will direct the Center. Her extensive experience designing and facilitating literacy clinics and professional development for elementary classroom teachers is critical to propelling the renewed research focus of CL²EAR.

Trish Morita-Mullaney, associate professor of language, literacy, and education, will serve as the Center associate director. She will collaborate with CL²EAR project team members on implementing the mission and representing her expertise in English language and dual language education.

The original Center for Literacy Education and Research (CLEAR) was founded to train hundreds of teachers in Reading Recovery, a highly effective short-term intervention of one-to-one tutoring for low-achieving first graders.

Writer: DeEtte Starr, starrd@purdue.edu 

https://education.purdue.edu//research/centers-and-institutes/cl2ear/