National Reading Expert Joins WIUS
(June 1, 2005) DALLAS – Dr. G. Reid Lyon, a primary architect of “Reading First,” one of the cornerstones of national educational reforms, has resigned his position as Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch within the National Institution of Child Health and Human Development this week in Washington, D.C. to take a position as a senior adviser to Whitney International University System.
“Reid Lyon has broken new ground in using science-based research to teach children to read,” said Randy Best, a board director of Whitney International University System. “He has taken reading research to new levels by integrating neuroscience into learning programs for our country’s public schools. He now will have the chance to apply those skills to the many challenges facing higher education.”
Mr. Best said Dr. Lyon will help develop innovative approaches for Whitney International University System, a global university that is being developed.
“It has been a life’s dream to help children learn and succeed,” Dr. Lyon said in announcing his decision to join the Dallas organization. “My new position will provide me with the opportunity to put my best efforts to change the landscape of higher education as we know it today.”
As a research psychologist and administrator at NICHD, a branch of the National Institute of Health, Dr. Lyon has been responsible for the direction of research programs in developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral pediatrics, reading, and human learning and learning disorders. His duties have included translating NIH scientific discoveries relevant to the health and education of children to the White House, the United States Congress and other governmental agencies.
He was directly involved in the development of “Reading First,” which has provided nearly $1 billion a year for high-poverty, low-performing school districts. In return for the funds, the federal government asked school districts to change the way they taught reading and make significant progress toward the goal of having every child read at grade level by the end of the third grade.
Before joining NIH, Dr. Lyon served on the faculties of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Northwestern University and the University of Vermont. Dr. Lyon received his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico with a dual concentration in psychology and special education. He has taught children with learning disabilities, served as a third grade classroom teacher, and served as a school psychologist for 12 years in the public schools.
Dr. Lyon has authored, co-authored and edited more than 100 journal articles, books and book chapters addressing learning differences and disabilities in children. He was a member of the President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education and has served as an advisor to President George W. Bush on child development and education research.
Contact: Rena Pederson 214- 438-4170