ILLITERACY IS THE BIGGEST SOLVABLE PROBLEM CURRENTLY FACING THIS NATION
HOPEVILLE
HOW TO WIN THE READING WARS
THIS MOVIE HAS THE SOLUTION
BACKGROUND
Our country has been failing to teach kids to read for many years and the cost is staggering.The United States is ranked 125th in literacy out of 194 nations in the world.
Low literacy contributes to every major social issue from unemployment to high crime, but as a nation we refuse to recognize it as a root problem. It’s a statistical fact that many of our biggest obstacles will vanish when we finally adopt methods of literacy education that work.
Julie Washington, Ph.D.
Margie B. Gillis, Ed.D.
Maria S. Murray, Ph.D.
IT'S BEEN COVERED EXTENSIVELY BY EVERY MAJOR NEWS ORGANIZATION
SYNOPSIS
Harvey Hubbell V, 1962
Harvey Hubbell V is a casualty of “The Reading Wars.” As a child with dyslexia, he struggled in school, where they failed to teach him using the same literacy methods that are used today. As an adult, he discovered that there is a way to teach all kids to read that isn’t being used in most schools, that method is called the science of reading. That information started his quest to change how literacy is taught.
To prove that the new system works, he spends a year with a class of diverse first graders and their teachers in Waterbury CT, to provide a never-before-seen look into the challenging process of learning to read. The kids work tirelessly to prepare for an end of the year test which will determine if they will move on to 2nd grade, or not.
Mrs. Martinez teaching using multi-sensory techniques
Tate, who has ADHD, reads at home with mom
Kat has an undiagnosed reading difficulty
Ms. Summa testing to track students progress
Not only does Hubbell show us solutions in the classroom, he travels the country to give a voice to the diverse cast of passionate educators, researchers, and determined individuals who are fighting the status quo.
Actor/Activist Ameer Baraka learned to read in prison and now travels the world advocating for change
Diane Dragon uses her skills as a criminal defense attorney to change her local school district's policies
Dena Mortenson introduced the new literacy system used in
Waterbury, CT
From intimate interviews with struggling students, to riveting classroom observations, "Hopeville" immerses audiences in the real-world experiences of those affected by the literacy crisis. The film sheds light on the emotional toll faced by individuals grappling with low literacy skills and the barriers they encounter in their pursuit of education and opportunities.
APM Senior Education Correspondent Emily Hanford, broke the story on The Reading Wars in 2020
Diana Hanbury King, a pioneer in literacy education
These beacons demonstrate the transformative power of successful literacy instruction. "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" is an eye-opening, empowering documentary that serves as a rallying cry for change.
People from 108 Countries live in Waterbury and they march every year at “The Gathering” in a show of unity
US Congresswoman, Jahana Hayes and Waterbury Mayor, Neil O’Leary speaking at
“The Gathering”
The Gathering” is one of the largest multicultural events in the country
On his journey, Hubbell showcases inspiring success stories of communities that have embraced the latest cutting-edge methods of reading instruction. "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" is an eye-opening, empowering documentary that serves as a rallying cry for change.
Meet the Experts from Hopeville
"Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars," features breakthroughs from renowned scientists, researchers and educators who have dedicated their lives to solving the literacy crisis in America.
Julie Washington, Ph.D.
Professor at UCI School of Education and Director of UCI Dialect, Poverty and Academic Success Lab
Emily Hanford
Senior Producer and Correspondent American Public Media
Mark S. Seidenberg, Ph.D.
Vilas Research Professor and Donald O. Hebb Professor in the Department of Pyschology at the University of Wisconsin
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers, DBA
Executive Director, The Southport School; Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories, Yale University
Maria S. Murray, Ph.D.
Founder and President/CEO of The Reading League
Margie B. Gillis, Ed.D.
President, Literacy How; Research Affiliate, Fairfield University and Haskins Lab
Director's Statement
“I struggled so much in school. And outside of school. To the present day I struggle. Reading, writing…just trying to function in a world that requires literacy.
The way they teach reading in America today, only works for less than 30% of all kids, so some kids are going to do well, and the rest won't. That's how it's been for a long time.
Unless we do something, we are locking ourselves into a society where most people don't have access to the benefits that literacy provides, which guarantees that everyone suffers.
Because we live in a world where so many problems are unsolvable, it's empowering to discover that this one is. There are small pockets on the educational landscape, like Waterbury, CT, where they can teach kids to read. We can use their success as a blueprint for the rest of the nation.
It's my goal that this film is the tipping point that ends the Reading Wars forever."
-Harvey Hubbell V
HOPEVILLE
HOW TO WIN THE READING WARS
DIRECTOR
HARVEY HUBBELL V
RUN TIME
82 MINUTES
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH
PRODUCER
ERIC GARDNER
GENRE
DOCUMENTARY
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
HOPEVILLEFILM.COM
OFFICAL TRAILER
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HOPEVILLE
COUNTRY-WIDE TESTIMONIALS
WEST HOLLYWOOD SCREENING
THIS MOVIE IS MORE THAN JUST A FILM - IT'S A MOVEMENT
With a deep commitment to raising awareness and effecting change, we have built a comprehensive website advocacy toolkit to keep the momentum going. This toolkit equips individuals and organizations with the resources they need to advocate for literacy, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO REVOLUTIONIZE LITERACY INSTRUCTION
Panel discussion after a screening
West Hollywood watching Hopeville
Interviewing guests for testimonials
By hosting a screening in your city or school district, you become part of a nationwide effort to enact real change. The more cities and educators we reach, the greater impact we can have on literacy rates across the nation.
Together, let's arm teachers and educators with the knowledge and tools they need to bring the science of reading to every classroom.
THE SCIENCE OF READING TRANSFORMS SCHOOL DISTRICTS
FROM 58% PROFICIENCY TO 78% USING THE SCIENCE OF READING
Dena Mortensen,
Waterbury, Connecticut
Dena Mortensen is the Reading and Language Arts Supervisor in Waterbury, Connecticut.
When Dena learned about the power of the Science of Reading, she knew had found a way to help all her students.
"Bringing the science into the classroom is my number one goal. After seeing the transformative power of SOR, I decided everything we did was going to be aligned with the science.
Using the science has allowed my schools literacy rates to jump over 20% points and that number continues to grow.
If the scientist say it works, we will do it in Waterbury, CT"
-Dena Mortensen
FROM 67% PROFICIENCY TO 89% USING THE SCIENCE OF READING
Sharon Dunn,
Bakersfield, California
Sharon Dunn was a principal in Bakersfield California when she saw a problem.
Her students literacy rates were drastically low and she knew she had to make a change. That's when she found the Science of Reading.
"When I finally decided we needed to change, I brought literacy programs into my school district that focused on the Science of Reading. I brought in teacher trainers and made sure all my teachers were following the science.
After 3 years of hard work, I watched my school's literacy rates go from 68% proficiency to nearly 89%! The Science of Reading works and there's no reason why it shouldn't be used in every school district in America."
-Sharon Dunn
READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR DISTRICT?
Unlock the power of change by hosting a screening of "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" in your district.
Introduce the Science of Reading to your community and join us in the mission to transform education. We believe that united efforts are key – it takes a village. Together, we can showcase "Hopeville" nationwide, proving the effectiveness of the Science of Reading.
Let's witness districts undergo a transformative journey, watching literacy rates soar. By working hand in hand, we can collectively put an end to the reading crisis and pave the way for a brighter future in education. Join us, and together, let's make a lasting impact on literacy across the nation.
(USE THIS LINK TO LEARN ABOUT HOW YOU CAN BRING HOPEVILLE TO DISTRICTS NEAR YOU.)
Hopeville was made possible by:
Seedling.tv & The Hubbell Difference Foundation
Seedling.tv:
Seedling.tv is a media hub and video platform for showcasing exclusive cause-driven content that retools how we approach learning and growth. Seeding.tv advocates for creating better lives for our communities by reforming education and resolving critical social issues that affect us all. We believe the best way to make this happen is by sharing compelling stories that tell how these changes can be achieved. The stories are the seeds that grow and become change.
Seedling.tv is the brainchild of award-winning filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V. For over thirty years, Harvey, through his company Captured Time Productions, has dedicated his time, energy and extraordinary creativity to giving experts in the fields of education, health & wellness, and the environment a platform to showcase their knowledge.
Our mission: To holistically nourish the wellbeing of all people and inspire them to thrive and live passionately through socially impactful filmmaking.
The Hubbell Difference Foundation:
Seedling.tv is the distribution arm of The Hubbell Difference Foundation, Inc, a not for profit 501(c)(3)established in 2011 to educate and engage lifelong learners in the areas of education, holistic learning, wellness and sustainability through film documentary projects.