Louisa C. Moats

Dr. Moats has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. She began her professional career as a neuropsychology technician and teacher of students with learning disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree at Peabody College of Vanderbilt and her doctorate in Reading and Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

 

Dr. Moats spent four years as site director of the NICHD Early Interventions Project in Washington, DC.  This longitudinal, large-scale project was conducted through the University of Texas, Houston under the direction of Barbara Foorman. It investigated the causes and remedies for reading failure in high-poverty urban schools.  Dr. Moats spent the previous fifteen years in private practice as a licensed psychologist in Vermont, specializing in evaluation and consultation with individuals of all ages who experienced learning problems in reading and language. 

 

In addition to LETRS, Dr. Moats’ books include Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers (Brookes Publishing); Spelling: Development, Disability, and Instruction (York Press); Straight Talk About Reading (with Susan Hall, Contemporary Books), and Basic Facts About Dyslexia (with Karen Dakin, International Dyslexia Association).  She is well known for authoring the American Federation of Teachers’ “Teaching Reading is Rocket Science.”

 

Dr. Moats is currently Consultant Advisor to Sopris West Educational Services for Literacy Research and Professional Development.  She is focusing on the improvement of teacher preparation and professional development. She is Vice President of the International Dyslexia Association.