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Orton–Gillingham: What You Need to Know

Orton–Gillingham: What You Need to Know

Orton–Gillingham was the first teaching approach specifically designed to help struggling readers by explicitly teaching the connections between letters and sounds. Many reading programs include Orton–Gillingham ideas, including a “multisensory” approach, which is considered highly effective for teaching students with dyslexia.

Phonological Instruction for Older Students

Phonological Instruction for Older Students

Additional and explicit instruction in phonological awareness is a critical component in helping fourth grade readers who struggle with phonological deficits. The exercises can be used as a warm-up prior to reading, spelling, or vocabulary instruction.

illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children

This influential 1998 report was developed by The Committee for the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children,  established by the National Academy of Sciences to study the comparative effectiveness of interventions for young children who are at risk of having problems learning to read. The primary goal of the project was to translate the research findings about reading into advice and guidance for parents, educators, and others involved in the literacy development of young children. 

illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Reaching Rommel

Everyone said his 10-year-old student would never learn to read. For a long time, he believed it, too.
elementary teacher working one-on-one with female student

Reading Difficulties and Family History

Knowing children with a family history of difficulties are more likely to have trouble learning to read means that efforts can be made with these children to prevent difficulties from developing.
illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Is It a Reading Disorder or Developmental Lag?

How do parents know if their child’s reading delay is a real problem or simply a “developmental lag?” How long should parents wait before seeking help if their child is struggling with reading? Susan Hall answers these questions.

illustration of young girl struggling with reading and writing

Reading Risk Indicators by Grade Level

The following is a general list of risk factors for reading difficulties by grade level. Please note that the list is not all-inclusive and should be interpreted with reference to age and grade expectations.
elementary teacher working one-on-one with female student

Recognize Early Signs of Trouble

For almost 40 percent of kids, learning to read is a challenge. So in addition to talking, reading, and writing with their child, families play another important role — being on the lookout for early signs of possible trouble.
Recognizing Reading Problems

Recognizing Reading Problems

Learning to read is a challenge for many kids, but most can become good readers if they get the right help. Here are some signs to look for and things to do if you suspect your child is having trouble reading.

Elementary boy in yellow plaid shirt taking a test

Research-Supported Assessment: Intervention Links for Reading and Writing

This article discusses current research-supported instructional practices in reading and writing. It also reviews alternatives to ability-achievement discrepancy in identifying students for special education services, as well as introduces the idea that ability-achievement discrepancies should be based on specific cognitive factors that are relevant to specific kinds of learning disabilities rather than Full Scale IQ.

Elementary teacher giving a student a high-five for encouragement

Responsiveness to Intervention and Learning Disabilities

The purpose of this National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) report is to examine the concepts, potential benefits, practical issues, and unanswered questions associated with responsiveness to intervention (RTI) and learning disabilities (LD). A brief overview of the approach is provided, including attributes, characteristics, and promising features, as well as issues, concerns, unanswered questions, and research needs.
elementary principal is school hallways with students rushing by

Roles of the Reading Specialist

Because reading specialists have advanced degrees in reading, they are in a position to prevent reading failure at their schools. This position statement describes the roles reading specialists can play in instruction, assessment, and school leadership.
Elementary boy in yellow plaid shirt taking a test

School Psychologists and Student Reading Achievement

School psychologists play a critical role in the lives of children who are struggling to learn. More and more, for example, school psychologists are leaders in developing and carrying out the assessments and placements decisions that impact students from the beginning of their school careers. With your help, schools can reduce the number of students who lag behind grade level – and increase the number of successful readers.
elementary principal is school hallways with students rushing by

School-Based Risk Factors

A school in which students are performing at a much higher (or much lower) level than might be predicted using such standard measures as family SES is often described as an “outlier.”

September Thoughts: Reflections on a New School Year

September Thoughts: Reflections on a New School Year

As we head towards September and a new school year, here’s advice from special education expert Rick Lavoie that may be helpful as you attempt to make special needs kids in your class feel warm, welcome, and wanted. Using the word SEPTEMBER, he shares nine concepts that can help you in this effort.

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