Center for Literacy and Language Education and Research (CL2EAR)
The newly relaunched Center for Literacy and Language Education and Research (CL2EAR) commits to enhancing the overall quality of literacy and language instruction for PK-12 students through its research, policy transformation, and high-quality teacher development.
As part of the Purdue University College of Education, the Center “advances sustainable and inclusive learning communities through high-impact scholarship, inspirational teaching, vision-driven service, and collaborative community engagement” specific to literacy and language education (from the College of Education strategic plan Mission, 2021).
Goals
- Research in literacy and language development
- Continuous improvement
- Policy and praxis
- Effective professional development and technical assistance resources
Activities
While the Center focuses primarily on research and dissemination of findings, its activities also include attention and resources for teaching/learning and providing services for schools and educators. The Center aligns with Purdue’s College of Education as a “national leader in modeling and nurturing sustainable educational practices and systems for a just society and better world through inclusive excellence, scholarship of discovery, learning, engagement, and development of human potential” specific to literacy and language education (from the College of Education strategic plan Vision, 2021). This includes:
- Research and dissemination
- Teaching and learning
- Services for schools
Administration
Dr. Christy Wessel Powell
Contact: cwesselp@purdue.edu
Dr. Christy Wessel Powell, Center Director, is an associate professor of language, literacy, and education in the Purdue University College of Education, where she teaches pre- and in-service teachers in literacy education. Her extensive experience designing and facilitating literacy clinics and professional development for early childhood and elementary classroom teachers is critical to propelling the renewed research focus of CL2EAR.
Dr. Trish Morita-Mullaney
Contact: tmoritam@purdue.edu
Dr. Trish Morita-Mullaney, Center Associate Director, is an associate professor of language, literacy, and education in the Purdue University College of Education, where she teaches pre- and in-service teachers in literacy and English Learner (EL) education. She collaborates with CL2EAR project team members on implementing the mission and representing her expertise in English language and dual language education.
Dr. Jennifer Renn
Contact: rennj@purdue.edu
Dr. Jennifer Renn, Managing Director, is a Research Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Purdue University. Her research focuses on language and literacy development in diverse populations, teacher language attitudes, English language learner education, language assessment, and language variation and identity.
History
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. A new Center for Literacy and Language Education and Research (CL2EAR) launched in August 2022 with faculty-led research as its primary focus. It will utilize literacy and language research at its core, generating funding from multiple sources including research grants and contracts with departments of education.
For more information, contact the Purdue University College of Education: 765-494-7935.