"HOPEVILLE: HOW TO WIN THE READING WARS" FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION ON APRIL 9th

[Molinaro, Rosanna]

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

 

3/30/26                                                                                             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             

                                                                                                                           

"HOPEVILLE: HOW TO WIN THE READING WARS" FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION

 

State Representatives Robin Comey, Dominique Johnson, Jennifer Leeper, and State Senator Cathy Osten will host "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" Film Screening & Panel Discussion with Q & A on Thursday, April 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V follows a class of first-grade students over the course of a year as they learn to read using a new literacy approach. The film captures the challenges, breakthroughs, and transformative moments that define early reading development.

 

The documentary sheds light on systemic issues, longstanding misconceptions about how children learn to read, and the key decision-makers whose policies and practices have shaped the current landscape.

 

Hopeville offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of America’s literacy crisis. At its core, the film highlights the promise of Structured Literacy—an evidence-based approach that emphasizes phonics, decoding, and language comprehension—as a solution to closing the reading gap.

 

With a particular focus on underserved communities, the documentary demonstrates how effective instruction can change the trajectory of young learners, opening doors to academic success and lifelong opportunity. Hopeville challenges audiences to rethink literacy education and consider what it will take to ensure that every child has the chance to become a confident reader.

 

According to the Nation's Report Card (NAEP):

 

• Connecticut ranks 8th in the nation in 4th-grade reading
• Nearly two-thirds of children are not proficient readers by fourth grade a critical milestone where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn
• Connecticut is a Top 10 state in 4th-grade reading which means 64% of children are already behind by fourth grade, which isn’t a low-performing state problem, it’s a system-wide crisis
• In the end: Only 1 in 3 kids can read at grade level

  

WHO:       Representative Robin Comey (D-Branford)

                 Representative Dominique Johnson (D-Norwalk/Westport)

                 Representative Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield/Southport)

                 Senator Cathy Osten (D-Columbia/Franklin/Hebron/Lebanon/

                         Ledyard/Lisbon/Marlborough/Montville/Norwich/Sprague)

                  Harvey Hubbell V, Filmmaker

                  Charlene Russell-Tucker, Department of Education Commissioner

                  Suzannah Holsenback, Executive Director of Read to Grow

WHAT:     "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" Film Screening & 

                      Panel Discussion with Q & A

WHEN:     Thursday, April 9, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:   Legislative Office Building, Room 2C

                    300 Capitol Avenue

                    Hartford CT 06106

 

##

Rose Molinaro Press Aide House Democrats    210 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106  Cell: (860) 994-8594