CASE STUDIES
As states confront reading crisis, NY lags behind
Dr. Dia Bryant played a pivotal role in spearheading a literacy movement in New York City and State, significantly influencing the public schools' decision to adopt an evidence-based literacy curriculum. Recognizing the critical need for effective literacy education, Dr. Bryant advocated for a structured, research-driven approach to teaching reading. Her efforts were instrumental in the New York City Department of Education's decision to implement this curriculum in two phases, ensuring a systematic and thorough integration across the city’s diverse schools. Dr. Bryant’s advocacy and expertise garnered attention in prominent publications. The New York Times highlighted her contributions, emphasizing the importance of adopting evidence-based methods to improve literacy rates and educational outcomes. Chalkbeat also featured Dr. Bryant, acknowledging her leadership and the positive impact of her work on the city’s education system. Through these efforts, Dr. Bryant has made significant strides in transforming literacy education in New York City and helping to ensure a $10M investment by New York State in 2024.
“My father missed my college graduation” - No Knock Warrant
Dr. Dia Bryant’s commitment to social justice is deeply personal and professional. Amid her achievements such as founding Vista Academy in Brooklyn, NY and catalyzing a movement for literacy in New York, her fight for justice took on new urgency after a transformative family experience. On May 28, 2020, just days after the murder of George Floyd and weeks after Breonna Taylor’s death, her father missed her Harvard graduation due to a traumatic police raid. Mistakenly targeted by a no-knock warrant, her family was subjected to violent disruption and humiliation, echoing the systemic brutality faced by many Black Americans. This incident, occurring merely 15 days after Taylor’s killing, underscored the urgency of Dr. Bryant’s advocacy against such practices in communities of color that are plagued with poverty. Her dedication to educational leadership and social justice remains intertwined, driven by a profound understanding of the systemic inequities that continue to plague Black communities.
School Design in Dubai
In 2019, Dr. Dia Bryant was commissioned by Cambridge Education to design an American Pathway for the School of Research Science (SRS) in Dubai. Tasked with preparing students for seamless transition to colleges and universities in the United States, Dr. Bryant collaborated closely with Principal Elma Frietas, adhering to the stringent guidelines and models set forth by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). She meticulously crafted the core design, which underwent rigorous scrutiny and was refined through just one set of revisions before meeting all international specifications. As a result of Dr. Bryant's expertise and dedication, the school has been in operation since the winter of 2020, thriving and successfully preparing students for their future academic endeavors in the US.