From Jordan to FSU: Dr. Sana Tibi Helps Strengthen Early Education Through IREX Grant

September 2, 2026 - 05:06

For Dr. Sana Tibi, an associate professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, a recent grant opportunity feels like a homecoming of sorts. Born and raised in Jordan, where she spoke Arabic daily, Tibi has spent her academic career studying how children acquire reading skills in that language. Now, a new grant from IREX is allowing her to merge her personal heritage with her professional expertise to strengthen early education programs back in her home country.

Tibi is collaborating with colleagues, including Stephanie Al Otaiba from Southern Methodist University, to develop and refine assessment tools for Arabic-speaking students. The project focuses on identifying the specific cognitive and linguistic markers that predict reading success, which is critical for teachers who often lack reliable screening methods. By adapting evidence-based practices from English literacy research, the team aims to create resources that respect the unique structure of Arabic, which features a complex script and diglossia, where spoken and written forms differ significantly.

The work is not just about test scores. Tibi believes that improving early literacy in Jordan can have a ripple effect on the entire educational system, giving young learners a stronger foundation for future academic achievement. She also sees it as a way to give back to a community that shaped her early years. The grant will fund workshops, data collection, and the creation of practical guides for educators, with the hope that the model can eventually be scaled across the region. For Tibi, it is a deeply personal mission to ensure that every child, regardless of language, gets the support they need to become a confident reader.