Dr. Jim Cummins Joins American Reading Company Academic Advisory Board

Leading expert on English Language Learners and language development Dr. Jim Cummins has joined an extraordinary group of education experts on American Reading Company’s >Academic Advisory Board, founder and CEO Jane Hileman announced today.

“We are so honored to have Dr. Jim Cummins helping us ensure curriculum and professional development provides high-impact and high-quality education to students learning English as a new language,” Ms. Hileman said. “His research on literacy development and multilingualism has influenced our work with districts across the country around engagement, identity affirmation, and academic proficiency for all students.”

A significant contributor to bilingual education, Cummins has been the recipient of the International Reading Association’s Albert J. Harris Award. In numerous articles and books, he has explored the nature of language proficiency and its relationship to literacy development with particular emphasis on the intersections of societal power relations, teacher-student identity negotiation, and literacy attainment.

Dr. Cummins joins a group of renowned educators whose life work is dedicated to ensuring all children have access to high-quality education. Other members of the Academic Advisory board include Dr. Richard Allington, researcher and former president of the International Reading Association; Drs. Kylene Beers and Bob Probst, authors of the Notice and Note series; Dr. Pedro Noguera, urban sociologist and Distinguished Professor of Education at UCLA; Dr. Anne McGill-Franzen, author and noted early childhood professor at University of Tennessee; Dr. Irvin Scott, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s deputy director of education; Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm, educational author, researcher, and founding director of the Boise State Writing project; Dr. Ron Walker, executive director of Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC); Dr. Isabel Campoy, noted educator and author of Spanish titles for early readers; Dr. Alma Flor Ada, lecturer and famed children’s book author; and Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade, associate professorat SFSU, Founder of Roses in Concrete Community School.

Through their diverse accomplishments and reputations, members of American Reading Company’s Academic Advisory board ensure that the American Reading Company programs continue to effectively address the needs of students at every level of learning in achieving academic success and college and career readiness.