Dr. Paul Black, Ed. D., NCSP

Dr. Paul Black is a nationally certified school psychologist, literacy advocate, and educational leader specializing in assessment-driven instruction, adolescent literacy, and support for students with learning differences. He is the President of PB Assessments, an organization dedicated to improving access to dyslexia-specific evaluations, screeners, and literacy assessment tools for families, clinicians, and schools.

Dr. Black currently serves on the Board of Directors for RISE (Reading Instruction for Success and Equity), where he helps expand access to early identification by supporting the use of free dyslexia screening tools for educators and schools. He is also a board member with DIVY and Operation Read, contributing to innovative efforts that increase access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction for underserved learners. Across these roles, his work bridges the science of reading, assessment, and social-emotional learning, with a strong emphasis on translating research into practical classroom and systems-level solutions.

Dr. Black earned his Doctorate in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where his capstone research focused on integrating mental health supports into literacy interventions for students with learning disabilities. He has presented nationally at conferences including the Big Sky Literacy Summit, Utah Charter School Conference, and Wasatch Reading Summit, addressing the intersection of reading science, mental health, and educational equity.

Above all, Dr. Black is passionate about helping struggling readers develop the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging they need to thrive. Drawing from his experiences as a practitioner, leader, and parent, he brings both professional expertise and a deeply human perspective to his work with schools and communities.