Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
3 Birmingham panels in the mix for SXSW EDU 2025–vote now!
Reading time: 3 minutes
Birmingham is making waves on the national stage again—this time at SXSW EDU, the education-focused branch of the iconic tech, film and music festival in Austin, Texas.
For a second year in a row, Birmingham stands out as the only U.S. city featured in multiple panels. This year, local leaders are part of three powerful sessions tackling big topics: literacy, college access and Birmingham’s growing “third sector” movement.
Here’s how Birmingham is showing up—and how you can vote to help get these panels on the official lineup.
1. Building Belonging: K–K-12 Success for Latino Students
Latino students are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. K–12 population—but many face barriers to language access, school engagement and academic support.
This panel features Birmingham-based leaders working on the frontlines to bridge those gaps. Through bilingual success coaches, culturally grounded partnerships and student-centered programming, they’re showing what it takes to help Latino students thrive.
- Discover how bilingual Success Coaches increase student belonging, academic outcomes, and family engagement in K–12 settings.
- Learn how cross-sector partnerships between schools and nonprofits can support ELL and LMI students at scale.
- Explore scalable strategies that center culture and community to drive Latino student success from grades 6–12.
2. Tiny Voices, Big Impact: Literacy Before Kindergarten
Reading success starts before kids ever step into a classroom. This panel dives into the critical early years, when language development, parent interaction and access to books can shape lifelong outcomes.
Local innovators and national experts will discuss how Birmingham is using tools like talk pedometers, phonics pilots and caregiver coaching to close literacy gaps—and how those strategies are already influencing policy and practice.
- Learn how early experiences with language and interaction support future reading success.
- Discover tools and strategies used by communities to strengthen pre-K literacy outcomes.
- Understand how research and innovation can inform early childhood policy and practice.
3. How Cities Scale Education Solutions that Work
What happens when cities stop importing solutions—and start creating their own?
This panel uses Birmingham as a case study in place-based collaboration. With schools, businesses and community organizations working together, the city is building a model for how local action can spark national impact.
- Learn how local strategies create scalable models for workforce and education.
- Understand why place-based approaches drive sustainable, equitable change.
- Explore how cities align partners across sectors to solve national challenges.
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