Whether you are a parent, teacher, tutor, or dyslexic yourself, you probably want to know WHY the most common “learning disability” (1 in 5 people are dyslexic) is completely ignored or barely addressed by most collegiate teacher training programs, even for special education teachers.
The research into how teachers learn to teach reading versus how humans actually learn how to read is a fascinating history and will enlighten and anger many. This knowledge and anger can lead to positive change in our school systems and collegiate teacher training programs.
I encourage all parents and teachers to watch The Right to Read, a film just released (2023) that covers the latest data and science of teaching reading. Click on the image below to watch the 1-hour film.
Below are some resources I have used to learn “how” and “why” our school systems fail teachers and students when it comes to learning and applying the neuroscience of reading.
I have often wondered why we, as young students, are trained to use the Scientific Method by our teachers, but then collegiate teacher training programs – Ph.D. “experts” in education – do not themselves apply the Scientific Method in the training they provide teachers for reading instruction:
How does the human mind learn to read?
What is a scientifically proven way to teach kids to read – not an opinion-based, “tradition” of entrenched opinions, egos, and publishing company profits?
The answers are here, and they have been for a while – but they have been ignored by those who have influence over collegiate teacher training programs – because it goes against the outdated and unproven way that “they learned to teach reading” and have sometimes built their careers and clout upon. The policy-makers and leaders at education training institutions need to take heed and make the necessary science-based improvements. In the meantime, parents, tutors, and teachers like myself are self-training and teaching as many kids (and parents) as we can using the Science of Reading methods.
Click here to listen to the Sold a Story podcast (4 episodes).
Emily Hanford has been the saving grace of investigative reporting for many of us dyslexia parent advocates and tutors and teachers who know that the system is failing to teach many children to read. She has compiled an excellent reading list for anyone who wants to learn about the Science of Reading.
Show me the data! I hear you. This article by Emily Hanford has data showing the dramatic outcomes after implementing the Science the Reading in schools by providing teacher training.
