About this episode
Lynne Howard discusses the literacy crisis in the U.S. and the innovative approaches of Cornerstone Charter Public School to address it.
In this eye-opening episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Lynne Howard, co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Charter Public School, to explore the urgent literacy crisis facing our nation, and what can be done about it. A reading specialist and Orton-Gillingham practitioner, Lynne shares why two-thirds of American students are not reading proficiently and how ineffective instructional practices and gaps in teacher training have contributed to the decline. Lynne explains what makes charter schools unique, public, tuition-free, accountable, yet flexible enough to innovate, and how Cornerstone’s mission is to “shape a future where all children rise with the power of literacy." Through research-based instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and the Orton-Gillingham approach, Cornerstone aims to deliver systematic, multisensory, sequential literacy instruction that aligns with how the brain actually learns to read. Beyond curriculum, Lynne emphasizes the importance of teacher training and coaching, ensuring educators receive not only classroom instruction but hands-on mentorship to refine their craft. With plans to open in fall 2026 and grow thoughtfully…
People in this episode
Host: Rick Peck
Guest: Lynne Howard
Topics covered
- literacy crisis
- charter schools
- education innovation
- teacher training
- reading instruction
Keywords
- literacy
- charter schools
- education
- teacher training
- Orton-Gillingham
- reading proficiency
- public education
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cornerstone Charter Public School, Orton-Gillingham
Places: United States
More episodes of Money to Give
- A Conversation with Howard Pearl: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Non-Cash Asset Giving · June 11, 2026 · 48 min
- A Conversation with Emily Rasmussen: Giving Circles, Community, and the Future of Collective Philanthropy · June 4, 2026 · 48 min
- Ep. 80 Why Flexible Funding Matters More Than Ever For Nonprofits with Jessie Krafft · May 28, 2026 · 39 min
- Ep. 79 The Mindset Shifts That Unlock Generosity And Legacy with Kathleen Quinn · May 21, 2026 · 50 min
- Ep. 78 Part 2: How Personalized Donor Communication Builds Long-Term Loyalty with James Meisner · May 14, 2026 · 31 min
- Ep. 77 Part 1: The Donor Retention Mistakes Nonprofits Keep Making with James Meisner · May 7, 2026 · 25 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Money to Give podcast page.