UT Tyler professor says comic books could be the key to closing reading gaps

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - As students across East Texas continue working to rebound from pandemic-era learning loss, one local educator says the secret to closing the reading gap might be found inside comic books.

Dr. Gina Doepker, a professor of literacy education at the University of Texas at Tyler, believes graphic storytelling could be an unexpected solution to helping struggling students catch up."If we can get students hooked on books like comics, then that is going to increase their motivation, their engagement, their skills like fluency and comprehension," Doepker said.

According to Texas Education Agency STAAR data, roughly 45% to 52% of third graders in East Texas read at or above grade level.