Devin Kearns

Jun 2, 2025

WFAE: Can North Carolina Move the Needle on Literacy Scores?

Devin Kearns, Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Early Literacy at NC State, said this year’s EOGs could be an important benchmark for the state’s literacy investments.

Apr 30, 2025

How the College of Education Draws on Research-based Practices to Prepare Effective Literacy Teachers

From preparing undergraduate students through coursework and field experiences to helping in-service teachers become literacy specialists, the NC State College of Education draws on research-based practices to develop literacy leaders.

Mar 28, 2025

How Can Teachers Implement Effective Literacy Instruction? ‘The Key is to Know Which Strategies Are Actually Based on Research,’ Says Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy Devin Kearns

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy Devin Kearns shares resources and video demonstrations of effective strategies for teaching in early literacy.

Jan 21, 2025

Education Week: Researchers Created a Phonics Program With ‘Dramatic’ Results. How It Works

A new study has found evidence of big gains in students’ reading ability from using one specific phonics program—and suggests that consistent implementation is key to getting the strongest results. The results are “dramatic,” said Devin Kearns, a professor in early literacy at North Carolina State University.

Jan 17, 2025

‘I Don’t Know of Another State That’s Done This:’ Goodnight Distinguished Professors in Early Literacy and Spangler Distinguished Professors of Early Child Literacy Gather at NC State to Discuss Way to Improve Literacy Outcomes

On Dec. 10, distinguished professors of literacy education from across North Carolina gathered together at the first North Carolina Literacy Leaders retreat hosted by NC State’s College of Education. The event was an opportunity for the state’s two Goodnight Distinguished Professors in Early Literacy and four Spangler Distinguished Professors of Early Child Literacy to share ideas, work with representatives of the University of North Carolina System and hear from education representatives about successes and gaps in literacy education and ways to collaboratively make change.

Dec 9, 2024

Education Week: Can a New Reading Lawsuit Finally Answer: What Is Research-Based Curriculum, Anyway?

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy Devin Kearns discusses the effectiveness and practices of reading curricula in the wake of a lawsuit against companies who create the materials.

Sep 13, 2024

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy Devin Kearns Joins National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Advisory Board

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy Devin Kearns has been invited to join an advisory committee for the National Center for Education Statistics’ National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Aug 14, 2024

Meet Devin Kearns: ‘Literacy Success is Having the Skills to Advance Your Own Goals’

Devin Kearns is joining the NC State College of Education during the 2024-2025 academic year as the inaugural Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy, a professorship established by longtime NC State supporters Ann and Jim Goodnight to support the activities of a professor who focuses on teaching the science of reading in early literacy.

May 23, 2024

Devin Kearns Named Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy

Devin Kearns will join NC State’s College of Education as its inaugural Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy, effective Aug. 16, 2024. The Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy was established by longtime NC State supporters Ann and Jim Goodnight to support the activities of a professor who focuses on teaching the science of reading in early literacy.