Dyslexia Duo Podcast Episode 90 - Dr. Maria Murray of The Reading League

The Dyslexia Duo: Dr. Maria Murray on The Reading League, the Science of Reading, and Dyslexia as an Equity Issue

On the Dyslexia Duo podcast, hosts Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth interview Dr. Maria Murray, founder and CEO of The Reading League, about its origins in 2015 and its growth to 46 state chapters (including DC) with a goal of reaching all states by year’s end.

Dr. Murray explains the science of reading as a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically based reading research and clarifies common misconceptions about dyslexia and ineffective approaches that waste time. She highlights The Reading League’s free “Science of Reading: Defining Guide” (also in Spanish and French), the organization’s resources (newsletter, Compass for families, journal, vetted shop, conferences, virtual courses on understanding and assessing dyslexia, and school/district professional learning), and argues literacy is a fundamental human right and civil rights issue tied to equity, poverty, and life outcomes. She emphasizes that most people who can’t read haven’t been taught and calls for better teacher preparation, implementation support, and broader public understanding.

00:42 Introducing Dr. Maria Murray

03:17 Building the Reading League

05:45 How Chapters and Membership Work

09:16 What Science of Reading Means

11:39 Dyslexia Myths and Misconceptions

15:48 Literacy as Equity and Public Health

24:49 Why Kids Aren’t Taught to Read

31:24 What Counts as Reading Science

34:46 TRL Resources for Dyslexia Families