Pitt State educator honored with highest lifetime achievement award from International Dyslexia Association
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The founder and executive director of the Center for READing at Pittsburg State University has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Margaret Byrd Rawson Award, presented by the International Dyslexia Association in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the understanding, identification, and treatment of dyslexia.
He is to receive the award this weekend at the IDA conference in Las Vegas.
A developmental psychologist, research scientist, and educator, Professor David Hurford has spent more than 40 years translating research into practical tools and interventions that have improved the lives of struggling readers and their families around the world.
His work has helped shape best practices in early identification, assessment, and intervention for dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
Hurford founded the Center for READing in 1996, creating a nationally recognized resource dedicated to helping children and adults become successful readers. Through the center, he pioneered research-based procedures for identifying children at risk for reading failure and procedures for effective intervention.
His research led to the development of "Secret Codes,"a curriculum grounded in the science of reading that teaches young children to understand the relationship between sounds and letters.
Hurford is now widely regarded as a national leader in dyslexia research and literacy intervention, and is the editor of Perspectives on Language and Literacy. His expertise has informed state and national literacy initiatives, and his methods continue to help thousands of students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond.
"The impact of Dr. Hurford's work can be seen not only in the research literature, but in the lives of the countless children, adults, families, and educators he has served," said College of Education Dean Randy Watson, who also served for many years as Kansas Commissioner of Education. "This award recognizes a career devoted to ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to become a successful reader."
The Margaret Byrd Rawson Award is among the International Dyslexia Association's highest honors, recognizing individuals whose careers have made outstanding contributions to the field of dyslexia through leadership, innovation, and commitment to education.
"Receiving this award is a tremendous honor," Hurford said. "Throughout my career, my goal has been simple: to help people become competent, confident readers. Reading changes lives, and I have been fortunate to work alongside dedicated colleagues, educators, students, and families who share that mission."
For more information about the Center for READing, visit pittstate.edu.
