Teachers and the science of reading
Which of the report’s findings or results do you find most encouraging? And which is most troubling?
There is a lot to be encouraged by here. The growing understanding of phonics and word recognition among teachers is promising, as is the finding that 81 percent of respondents recognize the importance of breaking words into parts to support struggling readers. We were also especially glad to see the report include information on understanding the needs of students with dyslexia and English learners.
At the same time, several findings are deeply concerning. We are troubled by the continued finding that only 2 percent of teachers report learning evidence-aligned reading practices during their pre-service training, as opposed to the training they receive after years of teaching. This means the overwhelming majority of teachers have been entering classrooms without the knowledge they need. It is also troubling that 56 percent of teachers still associate dyslexia primarily with letter reversal. Finally, we are also concerned by the “science of reading gap” in high-poverty schools and at intermediate and secondary grade levels.
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DysÂlexia is only one of many reasÂons a child might struggle with readÂing and writÂing
Whether and when to use the label “dysÂlexia” has been a perÂenÂnial debate in eduÂcaÂtion, write Penelope HanÂnant and Julila CarÂroll from the UniÂversity of BirmÂingÂham.
Some experts and acaÂdemÂics argue that there is too much focus on the diaÂgnosis of dysÂlexia, rather than on providÂing supÂport for all chilÂdren who struggle to learn to read. OthÂers argue that chilÂdren with the most sigÂniÂficÂant difÂfiÂculties have to fight to get the recogÂniÂtion they need.
PubÂlic figÂures, includÂing celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, have called for all chilÂdren to receive early screenÂing for dysÂlexia.
We work together as researchÂers in psyÂchoÂlogy and eduÂcaÂtion, with expertÂise in how chilÂdren learn to read, dysÂlexia, neurodiÂversity, and how chilÂdren with speÂcial eduÂcaÂtional needs should be supÂporÂted. While calls for uniÂverÂsal dysÂlexia screenÂing are well intenÂtioned, we believe this approach could lead to more probÂlems than soluÂtions.
One conÂcern is the lack of accurÂacy in many screenÂing tools, which can resÂult in unclear or misÂleadÂing outÂcomes.
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Professor studies impact of physical activity on attention in kids with dyslexia
A Mercer University professor is researching the impact of physical activity on attention in children with dyslexia, with initial findings showing movement breaks can improve elementary school students’ focus.
Dr. Adam Keath, director of the health and physical education program in the College of Education, said researchers already know that physical activity during the school day has significant effects on neurotypical students’ academic performance, but not much is known about the effects on students with dyslexia. At the same time, students with dyslexia often use more cognitive processing while reading, which can lead to academic fatigue.
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Children who avoid reading are often not refusing to learn, they are protecting themselves from the frustration of feeling like they are failing.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital incorporates reading literacy into routine visits
As childhood literacy rates decline across the United States, Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, is stepping up with an innovative approach — conducting reading screenings in pediatric clinics. The hospital has begun screening children’s literacy skills starting at age 3 during routine pediatrician visits, with the goal of catching reading struggles early and guiding parents on how to support their children’s development.
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